The use of digital photography in the follow-up of surgical neoplastic wound: a case report

ABSTRACT

Introduction:

The characteristics of cancer wounds are unusual and are often difficult to describe in writing. Therefore, digital photography may be used to describe and manage these wounds.

Case Report:

A young female patient with a recurring lesion measuring 20 × 18 × 13.7 cm in the left thigh was diagnosed with synovial sarcoma. Digital photography was used to facilitate evaluation and treatment of her complex cancer wound. The patient underwent tumor excision, dressings, and skin grafting; the follow-up was carried out with photographic records using a cell phone camera, which were inputted into the electronic medical record and interpreted by the medical team.

Conclusion:

The use of photographs was important because it allowed rapid wound evaluation, could be shared with the team to evaluate the treatment plan, and was an important tool for legal purposes and teaching.

Keywords:
Photographs; Surgical oncology; Scar; Surgical wound; Oncology.