Related Experiment Video
Updated: Dec 4, 2025

A 3D Organotypic Melanoma Spheroid Skin Model
Published on: May 18, 2018
Metastatic basal cell carcinoma with atypical pattern of spread
Matthew Gellatly1, Estefanía Cruzval-O'Reilly2, Julie E Mervak3
1University of North Carolina School of Medicine, 1001 Bondurant Hall, Box #9535, Chapel Hill, NC, USA.
Abstract:
Basal cell carcinoma is the most common malignancy in the United States. However, metastasis of basal cell carcinoma is exceedingly rare, with incidence estimates of 0.0028-0.055%. When it does metastasize, basal cell carcinoma most commonly spreads to regional lymph nodes and lungs, although other sites of disease can occur. This case report presents multi-modality imaging of a 54-year-old male who developed multifocal metastatic basal cell carcinoma approximately three years after initial presentation with an ulcerated groin lesion. Ultimately, metastases included many common and uncommon sites, including lymph nodes, lung, duodenum, spleen, and adrenal glands. This case provides an interesting example of an uncommon pattern of spread and associated symptoms of treatment-resistant metastatic basal cell carcinoma.
Related Concept Videos
Metastasis
Epithelial-to-Mesenchymal Transition
The epithelial-to-mesenchymal transition or EMT is a developmental process commonly observed in wound healing, embryogenesis, and cancer metastasis. EMT is induced by transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-β) or receptor tyrosine kinase (RTK) ligands, which further...
Skin Cancer
Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC): BCC is the most common type of skin cancer, accounting for about 80% of cases. It typically develops in...
Tumor Progression
Colon cancer is one of the best-documented examples of tumor progression. Early mutation in the APC gene in colon cells causes a small growth on the colon wall called a polyp. With time, this polyp grows into a benign, pre-cancerous tumor. Further...

