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Giant neglected squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

Francesco Ricci1, Andrea Paradisi2, Barbara Fossati1

  • 1Department of Dermatology, Catholic University of Sacred Heart, Rome, Italy.

Dermatologic Therapy
|March 11, 2015
PubMed

Insights

Giant metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is rare but challenging to treat. This case highlights limited options and the palliative use of electrochemotherapy (ECT) for neglected, advanced skin cancer.

Area of Science:

  • Oncology
  • Dermatology
  • Cancer Research

Background:

  • Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common malignancies globally.
  • Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most frequent NMSC.
  • Assessing cSCC invasiveness relies on tumor size, location, and histology.

Observation:

  • Giant cSCC (>5 cm) can metastasize, posing treatment challenges.
  • A case of a neglected giant metastatic cSCC over 20 years is presented.
  • Standard treatments like radiotherapy, surgery, and polychemotherapy were ineffective.

Findings:

  • Palliative electrochemotherapy (ECT) was administered to the patient.
  • ECT resulted in partial reduction of cutaneous metastasis and pain relief.
  • The patient unfortunately passed away 3 months after the second ECT treatment.

Implications:

  • This case underscores the limited therapeutic options for advanced, neglected cSCC.
  • Electrochemotherapy (ECT) may offer palliative benefits in select metastatic skin cancer cases.
  • Further research is needed for effective treatments for giant and metastatic cSCC.
Keywords:
electrochemotherapymalignantneoplasmssquamous cell carcinoma

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