title: Metastasizing basal cell carcinoma.
abstract: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignancy worldwide and is characterized by invasive growth and local tissue destruction. Cure rates for BCC exceed 90% with most treatment modalities. Metastasizing BCC (MBCC) is a rare complication of BCC with high morbidity and mortality rates. We report the case of a 66-year-old man with a large ulcerative lesion on the left side of the flank that was histopathologically diagnosed as a BCC. Clinical and imaging evaluations revealed substantial local invasion with regional lymph node, lung, liver, bone marrow, and bone metastasis. The patient died 7 months after the diagnosis was made. Potentially metastasizing BCCs cannot be definitely identified; thus early intervention with adequate treatment of all BCCs is advised.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology Unit, Arcispedale S. Maria Nuova IRCCS, Viale Risorgimento 80, 42100 Reggio Emilia, Italy. vito.dilernia@asmn.re.it.
authors.forename: Vito
authors.initials: V
authors.lastname: Di Lernia
authors.forename: Cinzia
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Ricci
authors.forename: Iris
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Zalaudek
authors.forename: Giuseppe
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Argenziano
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D019046:Bone Marrow Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D001859:Bone Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000556:secondary*; D017809:Fatal Outcome; D006801:Humans; D008113:Liver Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000556:secondary*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D009361:Neoplasm Invasiveness; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*