title: Metastatic basal cell carcinoma.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Basal cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy of humans. Although it is axiomatic that this tumor does not evolve into metastatic disease, such events rarely occur, and this possibility should not be overlooked.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  The reader should better understand the sequence of events that resulted in metastatic disease and how these events are emblematic of the rare cases of basal cell carcinoma that systemically spread.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a case report of basal cell carcinoma that underwent distant metastasis. A short review of the literature is included.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Although basal cell carcinoma is commonly considered a regional tumor with virtually no propensity for distant spread, this case reveals that metastatic disease does occur and with devastating results.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Metastatic disease in basal cell carcinoma is a very rare but catastrophic consequence of this very common skin malignancy.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Division of Cutaneous Surgery, University of Colorado Health Sciences Center, Aurora, Colorado, USA. stscolo@hotmail.com
authors.forename: Stephen Thomas
authors.initials: ST
authors.lastname: Spates
authors.forename: J Ramsey
authors.initials: JR
authors.lastname: Mellette
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Fitzpatrick
mesh_terms: D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000556:secondary* / Q000601:surgery*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005145:Face; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008447:Maxillofacial Prosthesis; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery / Q000379:methods*; D010384:Pelvic Bones; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery*