Ungual basal cell carcinoma on the fifth toe mimicking chronic dermatitis: case study.
BACKGROUND
The finger, toe, and nail unit are rare sites of basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Only a few patients with BCC of the foot have been described in the world literature, and ungual BCC is even less frequent.


OBJECTIVE
To discuss through a case report the clinical features and diagnosis of BCC of the foot.


METHODS
We report an unusual case of BCC of the nail unit of the fifth toe of an elderly woman that mimicked chronic dermatitis.


CONCLUSIONS
Our case clearly highlights the need for biopsy and histopathologic examination whenever we see inflammatory lesions with a loss of substance that are refractory to systemic or topical treatments.
Department of Dermatology, University of Florence, Florence, Italy. vdegi@tin.it
Vincenzo
V
de Giorgi
Camilla
C
Salvini
Daniela
D
Massi
Serena
S
Sestini
Elisa
E
Difonzo
Paolo
P
Carli
D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002908:Chronic Disease; D003872:Dermatitis / Q000175:diagnosis*; D004890:Erythema / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D005534:Foot Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D006801:Humans; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000175:diagnosis*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D014034:Toes