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Combining Reflectance Confocal Microscopy with Optical Coherence Tomography for Noninvasive Diagnosis of Skin Cancers via Image Acquisition
Published on: August 18, 2022
Basal cell carcinoma and rhinophyma.
Mark Leyngold1, Ilya Leyngold, Peter R Letourneau
1Division of Plastic Surgery, University of Nevada School of Medicine, Las Vegas, NV 89102, USA.
Annals of Plastic Surgery
|September 25, 2008
Summary
Rhinophyma, a severe form of rosacea, can rarely present with basal cell carcinoma (BCC). This study highlights the importance of pathological review of rhinophyma surgical specimens to detect incidental BCC, ensuring proper patient management and follow-up.
Area of Science:
- Dermatology and Surgical Pathology
- Oncology and Cutaneous Malignancies
Background:
- Rhinophyma, the advanced stage of acne rosacea, involves sebaceous gland hyperplasia, fibrosis, and follicular plugging, potentially causing significant nasal deformity and airway issues.
- Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is an infrequent comorbidity in patients with rhinophyma, with limited documented cases in medical literature.
Observation:
- A 70-year-old male with a history of rosacea presented with severe nasal deformity, chronic drainage, and recurrent infections unresponsive to conservative treatments.
- Surgical intervention via tangential excision and dermabrasion was performed for the nasal deformity.
- Pathological examination of the surgical specimen revealed an incidental, completely resected basal cell carcinoma.
Findings:
- This case adds to the eleven previously reported instances of basal cell carcinoma associated with rhinophyma since 1955.
- The patient experienced a successful surgical outcome and remained tumor-free during follow-up.
- The study underscores the necessity of meticulous pathological evaluation of rhinophyma resection specimens.
Implications:
- Routine pathological review of rhinophyma specimens is crucial for identifying incidental basal cell carcinoma.
- Early detection of BCC necessitates potential re-excision and mandates vigilant long-term patient monitoring.
- Further research is required to elucidate the potential correlation between rhinophyma and basal cell carcinoma development.
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