Invasive Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin Treated Successfully with Vismodegib: A Case Report

The Permanente Journal
Ramez AwadFade Mahmoud

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer. It is primarily a local disease, and it very rarely causes metastatic disease. Chemotherapeutic agents had limited success in management of metastatic disease until the introduction of vismodegib. In this case report, we describe the presentation of a metastatic BCC that was not amenable to surgical resection or local treatment options and was treated successfully with vismodegib. A 69-year-old white man was referred to our surgical clinic for evaluation of an erosive left shoulder lesion. Biopsy in the clinic showed BCC with evidence of metastases on positron emission tomography-computed tomography scan. Tumors had invaded multiple bony structures and multiple organs, making surgical resection not an option. The decision was made to treat the patient with vismodegib. At 1-year follow-up, the patient's left shoulder lesion had improved with no evidence of metabolically active distant metastasis. Although BCC is the most common skin cancer, it is usually a local disease and treated with local measures. Metastatic BCC is extremely rare, and in cases when surgical resection or local radiation are not viable options, chemotherapeutic agents typically offer very limited impr...Continue Reading

Citations


❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Carcinoma, Basal Cell

Basal cell carcinoma is a form of malignant skin cancer found on the head and neck regions and has low rates of metastasis. Discover the latest research on basal cell carcinoma here.