Metastatic basal cell carcinoma: case report and review of the literature

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most commonly occurring carcinoma among humans. However, despite their overall frequency, cases of BCC featuring metastases are extremely rare. We present the case of a male patient with BCC located in the chest, measuring 10 cm and with an evolution of 15 years. After several years, an axillary recurrence developed as a tumor mass affecting the lymph nodes. After 14 months, a further lymph node recurrence was observed and resected. Six months later, a pulmonary nodule was detected, which was resected with tumor-free margins. Histopathological report revealed infiltration by BCC. After 13 years of follow-up (after the removal of the primary tumor), the patient remained alive and received close clinicoradiological monitoring. Taking advantage of this opportunity, we also provide a brief review of the corresponding literature.

Keywords

• metastatic
• basal cell carcinoma
• oncology