H05 Jean-Nicolas Marjolin (1780–1850): a name to remember

Abstract Jean-Nicolas Marjolin was born in Ray-sur-Saone, eastern France, 1780. His education sponsored by his mother as father had died when he 1 year old, leaving them impoverished. He studied Medicine at The Commercy Hospital, north-eastern before left for Hôtel-Dieu hospital Paris where met Guillaume Dupuytren, who recruited him to the ‘Societe Anatomique’, a society created promote study of clinical anatomy. became, successively, an assistant anatomy (1805), prosector (1806) and doctor (MD) 1808. even established own medical school 1810. It very popular admitted students from less privileged backgrounds medicine free. brilliant teaching style caused conflict with ambitious mentor saw threat after hired Dupuytren’s Hôtel-Dieu. also member Académie de Médecine, surgeon Louis-Philippe I, French king time. son René became married Cornelia Scheffer, daughter famous painter Ary Scheffer. In 1828, described four types ulcers that named ‘ulcere verruqueux’ Mimoires l’Acadimie Chirurgie, which manual However, did not specify whether were malignant or associated longstanding ulcers. 1850, died, Robert Smith, Professor Surgery Trinity College, Dublin, locally destructive developed scars following burns, floggings lacerations ‘warty ulcers’ Marjolin. After Smith’s death 1873, again forgotten until 30 years later, John Chalmers DaCosta, Jefferson Medical Philadelphia, two cases carcinomatous change chronic varicose leg examples Fordyce, American dermatologist, subsequently ulcer undergoing 1907. These definitions DaCosta Fordyce included malignancy developing sinuses, well persistent declarations defined term ‘Marjolin ulcer’ modern usage preserved Marjolins’ name future generations. Currently refers rare transformation within squamous cell carcinoma commonest subtype. Its exact cause remains unknown, despite being almost 200 ago.