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Metastatic Basal Cell Carcinoma: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review

  • Case Report
  • Published:
Journal of Cutaneous Medicine and Surgery

Abstract

Background

Metastatic basal cell carcinoma (MBCC) is defined as primary cutaneous basal cell carcinoma (BCC) that spreads to distant sites as histologically similar metastatic deposits of BCC. There are less than 300 reported cases of MBCC in the literature.

Methods

This article examines two cases of MBCC and provides a literature review of risk factors inherent in epidemiology, patient demographics, and the clinicohistopathological characteristics of primary and metastatic BCC lesions.

Results

MBCC is a rare complication of BCC with high morbidity and mortality rates. Patients with MBCC often begin with long-standing primary BCC lesions that are either large or recurrent after treatment. Cases of MBCC have a higher incidence of the more aggressive histologic patterns (morpheic, infiltrating, metatypical, and basosquamous). Perineural space invasion may be an indicator of aggressive disease. Metastases often involve regional lymph nodes, lungs, bone, and skin.

Conclusion

These case reports and review provide important diagnostic and management considerations for primary BCC and MBCC. Early intervention with aggressive treatment measures may improve the prognosis and survival of MBCC patients.

Sommaire

Antécédents

Le carcinome basocellulaire métastatique (CBCM) est défini comme un carcinome basocellulaire (CBC) primaire qui se propage à des sites distants en tant que dépôt métastatique ayant la même histologie que le CBP. Moins de 300 cas de CBMC ont été rapportés.

Méthodes

Le présent article examine deux cas de CBCM et fournit un résumé de ce qui a été publié au sujet des facteurs de risque inhérents à l’épidémiologie, aux caractéristiques démographiques des patients et aux caractéristiques clinicopathologiques des lésions du CBC primaire et métastatique.

Résultats

Le CBCM est une complication rare du CBC, présentant de forts taux de morbidité et de mortalité. Souvent, les patients souffrant d’un CBCM présentent d’abord des lésions de CBC primaire de longue date qui sont soit larges soit récurrentes après le traitement. Les cas de CBCM ont une plus grande incidence de modèles histologiques plus agressifs (morphiniques, infiltrants, intermédiaries et basospinocellulaires). L’invasion de l’espace périneural peut être une indication d’une maladie implacable. Les métastases s’étendent habituellement aux ganglions lymphatiques régionaux, aux poumons, aux os et à la peau.

Conclusion

Ces rapports et examens de cas fournissent d’importantes données sur le diagnostic et la gestion des CBCM et CBC primaires. Une intervention précoce conjuguée à des traitements agressifs pourrait améliorer le pronostic et la survie des patients atteints d’un CBCM.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Faculty of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Patricia T. Ting

  2. Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    Richard Kasper

  3. Department of Oncology, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada

    John P. Arlette

  4. 1107–7 Avenue SW, Calgary, Alberta, Canada, T2P 1B2

    John P. Arlette

Authors
  1. Patricia T. Ting
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  2. Richard Kasper
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  3. John P. Arlette
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to John P. Arlette.

Additional information

Presented at the Canadian Dermatology Association Meeting 2004 in Victoria, British Columbia.

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Ting, P.T., Kasper, R. & Arlette, J.P. Metastatic Basal Cell Carcinoma: Report of Two Cases and Literature Review. J Cutan Med Surg 9, 10–15 (2005). https://doi.org/10.1007/s10227-005-0027-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s10227-005-0027-1

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