Metastasizing basal cell carcinoma. Case report

Three cases of metastasizing basal cell carcinoma are presented. Metastases to regional lymph nodes occurred in 2 cases, and to both the humerus and the brain in the third. In all 3 patients, local recurrence developed in spite of apparently radical surgical removal of the primary tumour, and histological examination revealed distinct aggressive growth. The presence of metastases provides further evidence of the existence of an aggressive variety of the basal cell carcinoma. In these cases it is of particular importance that initial radical treatment is performed, and that the follow-up of the patients includes a check of the regional lymph nodes.