Multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas in a patient with chronic lymphocytic leukemia

A 79-year-old white woman had stasis dermatitis and multiple cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas not only in the exposed areas of the face, neck, and arms, but also on the lower legs in the area of dermatitis. Further evaluation revealed early chronic lymphocytic leukemia. This case illustrates the need to search for an underlying abnormality in patients with multiple or unusual skin cancers and to examine biopsy specimens from suspicious skin lesions in immunocompromised patients.