potassium-permanganate and Carcinoma--Squamous-Cell

A 60-year-old, otherwise healthy, male farmer presented to our Dermatology Department with a large ulcer on his lower right leg. The lesion had started as a small papule 6 months before, which became eroded and transformed into a rather rapidly progressive ulcer. On careful inspection, numerous larvae were found moving within the wound. The larvae were analyzed and found to be Lucilia sericata (the green bottle blowfly). The lesion was diagnosed histopathologically as squamous cell carcinoma. The myiasis was treated by submerging the wound in a dilute permanganate potassium solution.

Topics: Animals; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Diptera; Humans; Larva; Male; Myiasis; Potassium Permanganate

Oral potassium permanganate has been used in the management of terminal carcinoma in three patients. Symptomatic improvement occurred in all three, with elimination of oral foetor in one patient and diminished requirement of analgesics in the other two. The mental state of each patient was improved and normal activities were resumed.

Topics: Aged; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell; Female; Humans; Liver Neoplasms; Male; Middle Aged; Mouth Neoplasms; Neoplasms; Palliative Care; Pancreatic Neoplasms; Potassium Permanganate; Terminal Care