A 69-year-old man with a malignant transformation within the long lasting ulceration of the lower leg is presented. The chronic ulceration was a result of an accident at work in the age of 17 years. About 50 years later the patient developed squamous cell carcinoma within the chronic ulcer. The patient is demonstrated in order to allert the clinicians about the possibility of malignant transformation in any long-lasting wound. As early recognition offers the best chance to cure, we do postulate to perform a biopsy in every patient with long-lasting and clinically atypical ulceration.

        Key words: chronic wound - malignant transformation - Marjolin's ulcer - squamous cell carcinoma