A 65-year-old man visits the clinic after experiencing itching, ulceration, and crusting of a skin lesion on his upper chest for two months. The patient was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma with perineural invasion at the lesion location a year ago. The tumor was surgically resected with clean margins, and adjuvant radiation was administered to the location. He has no additional symptoms. The exhibit depicts the patient's lesion. If a biopsy is performed at the periphery of the lesion, which of the following histologic changes is most likely to be seen?

Question

A 65-year-old man visits the clinic after experiencing itching, ulceration, and crusting of a skin lesion on his upper chest for two months. The patient was diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma with perineural invasion at the lesion location a year ago. The tumor was surgically resected with clean margins, and adjuvant radiation was administered to the location. He has no additional symptoms. The exhibit depicts the patient's lesion.   If a biopsy is performed at the periphery of the lesion, which of the following histologic changes is most likely to be seen?

Quizplus · Accepted Answer

Eductional Objective: Late-stage radiation dermatitis develops months to years after exposure and is distinguished by pigment alterations, telangiectasias, and persistent ulceration. Because of the elevated production of transforming growth factor-beta, typical histologic alterations include vascular abnormalities, fibroblast proliferation, and homogeneity of dermal collagen (ie, fibrosis).

A 65-Year-Old Man Visits the Clinic After Experiencing Itching, Ulceration