Multiple metastases of carcinoma basocellulare into spinal column

Basal cell carcinoma presents a relatively low potential and local malignancy and very slow growth giving only occasionally metastatic spreading. The frequency of occurrence of metastatic dissemination is estimated in the literature depending on examined population from 0.028% to 0.55%. Metastases are most often found in lymph nodes, lungs bones and internal organs: liver, spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, pleura and the peritoneum. Authors present a case of a 69-years old female with an extensive basal cell carcinoma of the head convexity, infiltrating the subcutaneous tissue, periostium, bone and dura mater, giving distant metastases to other bone and soft tissue structures of a thoracic spine, which was confirmed by biopsy and histopathological findings of neoplasm tissue in spine. The primary lesion was successfully treated surgically. Despite administered radiotherapy of metastases in spine, progress of the disease during 1-year period was observed. The patient was alive with metastatic tumours present at last follow-up. Basing on the review of the literature and our case report we can distinguish following factors which may increase the risk of occurrence of basal cell carcinoma metastases: the great extent of the primary lesion, deep penetration to stromal tissue, blood and lymph vessel invasion, long history of tumour occurrence and the presence of metatypia in histopathological findings. The above-mentioned case fulfils the criteria of carcinoma basocellulare metastases proposed by Latters and Kessel and may be included to the general registration list of this cancer in the world.