Metastatic basal cell carcinoma: rapid symptomatic response to cisplatin and paclitaxel

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in the community, although it rarely metastasizes. The literature reports less than 100 patients who have received chemotherapy for metastatic BCC. A further case of this rare disease is reported here. The pattern of disease in the reported patient was similar to that described in the literature, but the patient experienced a long period with untreated metastatic disease compared with that in the literature.

The patient was treated with cisplatin in combination with paclitaxel. Literature review suggests this to be the first report of this combination.

Rapid symptomatic response was achieved though late neurotoxicity occurred.

This regimen is an active combination for the rare patient with metastatic BCC. The combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel causes less neurotoxicity and may therefore be a superior regimen.