Metastasizing auricular basal cell carcinoma

Basal cell carcinoma represents the most common skin cancer and involves the head and neck area in 80% to 85% of all patients treated. Despite their frequent occurrence, metastatic spread from these tumors is rare. This paper presents a case of a patient who had a metastasizing basal cell carcinoma. Despite control of primary disease by radical surgery and adjunctive irradiation, bony metastasis was found within nine months of therapy. Palliative therapy was given, but the patient died five months later. The pathophysiology of the metastasizing basal cell carcinomas is described, and a rationale for therapy presented.