A giant squamous cell carcinoma of the skin of the thoracic wall: a case report and review of the literature

J Med Case Rep. 2017 May 11;11(1):136. doi: 10.1186/s13256-017-1281-8.

Abstract

Background: We report a case of a 48-year-old white woman who presented with a huge cutaneous protruding tumor of the thoracic wall below her left breast.

Case presentation: The lesion was excised with clear margins from the adjacent skin, and subcutaneous tissue was left to heal with second intention. A histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed a well-differentiated infiltrative cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Our patient neglected to attend our Oncological Department to receive chemotherapy. Today, 12 months after surgery, she is alive and without evidence of disease recurrence.

Conclusions: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma can reach a huge size if left untreated. Surgery is the primary mode of treatment, followed by chemotherapy if applicable.

Keywords: Carcinoma; Cutaneous; Invasion; Metastasis; Squamous.

Publication types

  • Case Reports
  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / diagnosis*
  • Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / surgery
  • Female
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Patient Acceptance of Health Care
  • Patient Compliance*
  • Skin Neoplasms / diagnosis*
  • Skin Neoplasms / surgery
  • Thoracic Wall / pathology*
  • Treatment Outcome