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Spontaneous regression of two giant basal cell carcinomas in a single patient after incomplete excision
Ulrich M Rieger1, Christina Schlecker, Gerhard Pierer
1Department of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, A.ö. Landeskrankenhaus Innsbruck, Innsbruck Medical University, Austria. ulrich.rieger@uki.at
Background:
Spontaneous regression of small basal cell carcinoma has been reported. For giant basal cell carcinoma, however, no spontaneous regression has been described to date.
Case Report:
We present a patient with two independent giant basal cell carcinomas over the left clavicle and the lower back, measuring 7 x 12 cm and 18 x 20 cm, respectively. Both tumors were excised incompletely (R2) and the patient refused followup resections. After 52 and 16 months, respectively, no signs of recurrence were observed. CONCLUSION; Incompletely excised giant basal cell carcinomas can regress spontaneously. A watch-and-wait approach after incomplete resection may be pragmatic to avoid mutilating follow-up resections in patients refusing further surgery.
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