Recurrent squamous cell carcinoma arising in a neglected pilonidal sinus: Report of a case and literature review

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a rare complication observed mainly in chronic, recurrent and untreated primary pilonidal disease. It is associated with poor prognosis, and its recurrence rate after surgery is high. Here we present a patient diagnosed with SCC arising from a neglected pilonidal sinus. A 44-year-old male, who is a heavy truck driver, applied to the hospital with chronic discharge from sacrococcygeal region. He had symptoms of the disease with multiple recurrent abscesses and spontaneous drainage for 10 years. The patient underwent cyst excision and the defect was left open for secondary healing. One year later, the patient was admitted to the hospital with a mass of 3 x 3 cm in the same area. Re-excision and a sigmoid colostomy were performed. The patient died after two years. This case study illustrates that since SCC is a fatal complication of recurrent and long-standing pilonidal sinus, the proper treatment of this disease should be carried out as soon as the diagnosis is established. To this end, we believe, that all pilonidal sinus lesions should be sent for pathologic examination.