title: Subungual verrucous carcinoma of the thumb treated by intra-arterial infusion with methotrexate.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  For preservation of integrity of appearance and function in a 66-year-old male with an extremely rare case of verrucous carcinoma developing from the subungium of his right thumb, intra-arterial infusion with methotrexate was used.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the effectiveness of arterial infusion with methotrexate in this unusual nail bed cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Right brachial arterial catheterization and infusion with methotrexate (50 mg) were used every 24 hours together with simultaneous intramuscular injection of 6 mg of leucovorin every 6 hours for 10 days.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At 4 years, 8 months after therapy, the patient was in sustained complete remission with a functionally normal right thumb.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case study suggests that intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy is a simple and effective method for thumb subungual verrucous carcinoma with the unique advantage of preservation of morphology and functional conditions. It can be considered an effective treatment option.
authors: Department of Surgery, Division of Surgical Oncology, Kaoshing Medical University Hospital, Taiwan.
authors: Maw-Chang
authors: MC
authors: Sheen
authors: Yi-Shuan
authors: YS
authors: Sheen
authors: Hamm-Ming
authors: HM
authors: Sheu
authors: Tak-Wah
authors: TW
authors: Wong
authors: Yu-Yun
authors: YY
authors: Lee
authors: Chih-Fung
authors: CF
authors: Wu
authors: Yi-Wen
authors: YW
authors: Wang
authors: Chee-Yin
authors: CY
authors: Chai
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D018289:Carcinoma, Verrucous / Q000188:drug therapy*; D006801:Humans; D007261:Infusions, Intra-Arterial; D008297:Male; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage*; D009260:Nail Diseases / Q000188:drug therapy*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy*; D013933:Thumb; D016896:Treatment Outcome
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D008727:Methotrexate