title: [Vulvar basal cell carcinoma with destructive consequences].
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Basal cell carcinoma is the most common form of skin cancer. Generally, the prognosis is relatively good and curative surgical treatment is accomplished in the great majority of patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  Here we report a case that illustrates the natural course of a vulvar basal cell carcinoma. It concerns an 80-year-old woman who was diagnosed with a so-called 'giant' vulvar basal cell carcinoma causing severe destruction of the anogenital anatomy. At the time of diagnosis, haematogenous metastases were strongly suspected and curative therapy was not possible.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This case description illustrates that a basal cell carcinoma can transform into a 'giant' basal cell carcinoma if it is left untreated for many years. 'Giant' basal cell carcinomas carry a significantly higher risk of metastases than basal cell tumours smaller than 5 cm. In addition, 'giant' basal cell carcinoma is associated with higher morbidity and mortality rates.
authors.affiliation: Universitair Medisch Centrum Groningen, Afd. Dermatologie, Groningen, the Netherlands. j.l.blok@umcg.nl
authors.forename: Janine L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Blok
authors.forename: Nathalie
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Reesink-Peters
authors.forename: Gilles F H
authors.initials: GF
authors.lastname: Diercks
authors.forename: An K L
authors.initials: AK
authors.lastname: Reyners
authors.forename: Jorrit B
authors.initials: JB
authors.lastname: Terra
mesh_terms: D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010166:Palliative Care; D013997:Time Factors; D014846:Vulvar Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000473:pathology