Metastatic basal cell carcinoma: rapid symptomatic response to cisplatin and paclitaxel.
BACKGROUND
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in the community, although it rarely metastasizes. The literature reports less than 100 patients who have received chemotherapy for metastatic BCC. A further case of this rare disease is reported here. The pattern of disease in the reported patient was similar to that described in the literature, but the patient experienced a long period with untreated metastatic disease compared with that in the literature.


METHODS
The patient was treated with cisplatin in combination with paclitaxel. Literature review suggests this to be the first report of this combination.


RESULTS
Rapid symptomatic response was achieved though late neurotoxicity occurred.


CONCLUSIONS
This regimen is an active combination for the rare patient with metastatic BCC. The combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel causes less neurotoxicity and may therefore be a superior regimen.
Ludwig Institute for Cancer Research, Austin and Repatriation Medical Centre, Victoria, Australia. michael.jefford@petermac.org
Michael
M
Jefford
John D
JD
Kiffer
Gino
G
Somers
Fredy J
FJ
Daniel
Ian D
ID
Davis
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000556:secondary; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D017239:Paclitaxel / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D012074:Remission Induction; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology; D013997:Time Factors
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D017239:Paclitaxel; D002945:Cisplatin