title: New-onset facial paralysis and undiagnosed recurrence of cutaneous malignancy: evaluation and management.
abstract: Perineural invasion of cranial nerves, including the facial nerve by squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, is a poor prognostic factor for recurrent disease and disease-specific mortality. We discuss 2 patients who presented to the Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery service with complete facial nerve paralysis and a history of skin cancer. Based on our experience with these patients, we recommend that patients who present with facial nerve paralysis and a history of cutaneous malignancy undergo aggressive management including early intervention and complete exploration of the facial nerve from the geniculate ganglion out to the periphery. Such rigorous care achieves the best possible oncologic outcomes for a proven aggressive disease.
authors.affiliation: Division of Otolaryngology, Head and Neck Surgery, Department of Surgery, Penn State University College of Medicine, Hershey, PA 17033, USA. wscurry@psu.edu
authors.forename: W Cooper
authors.initials: WC
authors.lastname: Scurry
authors.forename: Jon E
authors.initials: JE
authors.lastname: Isaacson
authors.forename: Fred G
authors.initials: FG
authors.lastname: Fedok
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D004428:Ear Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D005158:Facial Paralysis / Q000209:etiology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local