Giant basal cell carcinoma with regional lymph node and distant lung metastasis

Eur J Dermatol. 2011 Nov-Dec;21(6):972-5. doi: 10.1684/ejd.2011.1519.

Abstract

The prevalence of metastatic basal cell carcinoma (MBCC) varies between 0.0028% and 0.55% of all cases. In total, more than 300 MBCC have been reported in the literature. We report the case of a 72 year old lady, who presented in September 2009 with a 10-year history of a progressively growing, giant, facial basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Clinical and imaging evaluations identified large local invasion with bone and meningeal involvement. Treatment consisted of an extensive surgery including left eye exenteration and meningeal resection followed by radiotherapy. A solitary lung metastasis was identified five months after the primary tumor resection. As the lesion remained solitary but had increased in size five months later, the patient finally accepted a surgical resection. A right upper-lobe pneumonectomy was performed and pathologic examination confirmed the metastasis as a MBCC.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / pathology
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell / secondary*
  • Disease Progression
  • Female
  • Forehead / pathology
  • Frontal Bone / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Humans
  • Lung Neoplasms / diagnostic imaging
  • Lung Neoplasms / pathology
  • Lung Neoplasms / secondary*
  • Lymphatic Metastasis
  • Magnetic Resonance Imaging
  • Neoplasm Invasiveness
  • Orbit Evisceration
  • Skin Neoplasms / pathology*
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / diagnostic imaging
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / pathology
  • Solitary Pulmonary Nodule / secondary*
  • Tomography, X-Ray Computed