Neglected squamous cell carcinoma of the frontal area: a clinical report

Neglected skin carcinomas are not very often in our days. It is known that skin is the most common site of malignancy Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common malignancy of the skin. We report a combined surgical treatment in an unusual case of a squamous cell carcinoma (T4 n0 m0) localized on scalp, presented primarily as a frontal ulcerative bloody mass, with no palpable lymph nodes and a whole body negative computed tomography. Three months after the first surgical procedure, the tumour reappeared presenting left frontal lobe invasion. A combined surgical management (neurosurgery and plastic surgery) was realized, in order to remove the tumour and to cover the defect. Three months later the tumour recrudesced invading the left antrum, infiltration of remained parotid gland and an ipsilateral mandible osteolysis, besides a 2 cm size distal metastasis at the right upper lobe of the lung was revealed. This article, through case report and a brief review of the literature, offers criteria for the surgical treatment of SCC that arise on the scalp.