Giant Basal Cell Carcinoma: A 12-Year Follow-up Case Report.
Giant basal cell carcinomas (GBCCs) are a strange and aggressive variety of basal cell carcinomas (BCCs); they are characterized by deep tissue invasion, rapid growth, high risk of metastasis, and a poor prognosis. GBCCs represent 0.4%-1% of all BCCs. The pathogenesis of GBCC is sometimes linked to a spontaneous mutation in the PTCH gene, mapped to the q22.33 locus of chromosome 9. The key factor in the development of GBCC, in at least 30% of the cases, is the delay in seeking medical attention (7.5 ± 3.1 years). This is associated to a poor socioeconomic level, deficient hygiene, mental illness, advanced age, and the fact that BCCs are painless lesions. The authors present a Mexican female with a 2-year ulcer diagnosed as a GBCC in the year 2000, its initial therapeutic approach, and her follow-up during the next 12 years.
*Department of Ulcers, Centro Dermatológico "Dr. Ladislao de la Pascua," Buenos Aires, Mexico; †Dermatologist, Private Practice; Departments of ‡Dermatooncology; and §Dermatopathology, Centro Dermatológico "Dr. Ladislao de la Pascua," Buenos Aires, Mexico.
Fabiola
F
Jiménez-Hernández
Ana M
AM
Caballero-Centeno
María
M
Barrera-Pérez
José A
JA
Ramos-Garibay
D000328:Adult; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D018450:Disease Progression; D015353:Eye Enucleation; D005145:Face; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000150:complications*; D009667:Nose Deformities, Acquired / Q000209:etiology; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000473:pathology; D012883:Skin Ulcer / Q000209:etiology*