Giant Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Axilla: 8-year Follow-up of a Case Treated with Excision, Vismodegib, and Radiotherapy

J Drugs Dermatol. 2022 May 1;21(5):531-533. doi: 10.36849/JDD.6583.

Abstract

Axillary giant basal cell carcinoma is extremely rare and remains challenging for physicians. The few reported cases have a relatively short-term follow-up, and none were treated with an oral hedgehog pathway inhibitor. Herein, we report the case of a 71-year-old man with a giant basal cell carcinoma in the axilla. The primary treatment instituted was surgical excision and adjuvant radiotherapy. The tumor recurred 4.5 years later, and 6-month treatment with vismodegib, a hedgehog pathway inhibitor, was effective. The disease progression re-occurred 1.5 years after discontinuing vismodegib. Palliative radiotherapy was administered, and the disease remained stable for > 1 year. Our case illustrates a rare disease with an 8-year follow-up, involving different therapeutic strategies against multiple recurrences. J Drugs Dermatol. 2022;21(5):531-533. doi:10.36849/JDD.6583.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Aged
  • Anilides / therapeutic use
  • Antineoplastic Agents* / therapeutic use
  • Axilla
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell* / drug therapy
  • Carcinoma, Basal Cell* / therapy
  • Follow-Up Studies
  • Hedgehog Proteins / metabolism
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / drug therapy
  • Pyridines
  • Skin Neoplasms* / diagnosis
  • Skin Neoplasms* / drug therapy

Substances

  • Anilides
  • Antineoplastic Agents
  • Hedgehog Proteins
  • HhAntag691
  • Pyridines