Metastatic basal cell carcinoma: Review, report of a case, and chemotherapy

Abstract

Basal cell carcinomas very rarely metastasize. A review of the literature revealed 90 documented cases of metastasizing basal cell carcinoma. Metastases occur most frequently to the regional lymph nodes (68%), while other sites such as bone, lungs, and liver are less frequently involved (less than 20%). We wish to report a case of metastasizing basal cell carcinoma and our experience with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy has been utilized in only three of the previously reported cases. To date a total of seven different cytotoxic agents has been tried; all have been unsuccessful. At present the drug of choice for metastasizing basal cell carcinoma awaits reports of successful treatment of metastasizing lesions; nevertheless, since the appearance of metastases in basal cell carcinoma carries an ominous prognosis (median survival of only 10 months), chemotherapy should be offered to these patients.