Basal cell carcinoma of the nail unit

Basal Cell Carcinoma of the 2nd Digit Treated With the Reverse Cross-Finger Flap: A Case Report

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of skin cancer but rarely presents on the finger with few cases described in the literature. We present the case of a 77-year-old female with a nine-month history of biopsy-proven BCC on the dorsal aspect of her left index finger. Following the complete surgical excision of the tumor, a two-stage reverse cross-finger flap was performed, resulting in minimal impact on mobility and aesthetics and prompting a discussion on the efficacy of this approach in treating BCC of the hand. We explore the various treatment modalities available for BCCs, underscoring the importance of tailored interventions for optimal patient outcomes. The successful outcome in our case emphasizes the significance of considering alternative surgical techniques in managing uncommon presentations of BCCs, contributing to the evolving armamentarium of options available to hand surgeons.

"Basal cell carcinoma of the hand: A systematic review and meta-analysis of incidence of recurrence"

Background

Hand basal cell carcinoma is a rare and complex disorder. Due to the hand's anatomical features, managing hand BCC is challenging. Therefore, we have conducted this systematic review to investigate various clinical characteristics, investigations, and treatment options related to hand BCC. Furthermore, a meta-analysis was used to provide pooled recurrence rates.

Methods

We conducted this review per the International Prospective Register of Systematic Reviews (PROSPERO) guidelines. This study performed a systematic literature review in February 2022 using the following electronic databases: Cochrane, MEDLINE, and EMBASE. Key terms include hand basal cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, management, outcome, and recurrence. We evaluated articles according to predefined quality criteria.

Results

The study included 9725 patients and 51 published articles. A total of 35 case reports, 2 case series, 1 prospective study, and the remaining retrospective studies were evaluated. An asymptomatic skin lesion was the main complaint. In 10 studies, Moh surgery was the most frequently used treatment method. In the seven studies included in the meta-analysis, the overall incidence rate of recurrence among the included patients was 1.49 cases per year.

Conclusion

The optimal extent of surgical treatment is still controversial, though an early biopsy can help identify lesions at an early stage. It is the first study to provide occurrence rates based on a meta-analysis. Developing treatment guidelines for BCC of the hand will be the focus of future research.

Uncommon presentation of pigmented paraungual basal cell carcinoma on the first toe treated with total excision

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are the most common types of skin neoplasm. The finger, toe, and nail unit are uncommon and rare locations of BCC. Only a few patients with foot BCC have been reported, and ungual BCC is even less frequent. We present a patient with a BCC on the left first toe. Clinically, it appeared as a brown-colored plaque with an irregular border on the nail fold and dorsum of the left thumb. Histopathological findings were consistent with the pigmented type of BCC. Surgical approach with subsequent full thickness mesh graft led to a complete remission. Follow-up at 10 months revealed a functionally and cosmetically acceptable outcome. The clinical presentation of nail unit BCC is variable, and nonspecific manifestations occur more frequently. Our case stated the necessity of histopathologic examination in ulcerous lesions resistant to topical treatment.

Subungual Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Rare Nail Tumor with a Challenging Diagnosis

Subungual basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is a rare disorder associated with many factors, including contact with some topical and oral substances. A differential diagnosis and an early approach are important to minimize the functional damage of the limbs affected by this type of tumor. We report a case of subungual BCC in a 70-year-old woman that was managed by surgical excision. The patient's medical history included the previous use of arsenic. We emphasize the contribution of an early diagnosis to achieve better treatment results in this instance.

Mohs micrographic surgery for nail unit tumours: an update and a critical review of the literature

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a good treatment option for epithelial neoplasms, especially when localized in areas where tissue conservation is crucial, such as the nail unit (NU). MMS is a method of radical excision offering high cure rates due to the margin control and functional preservation. Our aim is to provide a review on the use of MMS for the treatment of the most common nail tumours. We revised the current literature on the use of MMS to treat malignant neoplasms (Bowen's disease, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, keratoacanthoma, carcinoma cuniculatum) and benign neoplasms (onychomatricoma and glomus tumour). MMS represents a successful surgical option for nail tumours, firstly in terms of tissue conservation: the NU anatomy is complex and the preservation of the component structures is imperative for its functionality. Secondly, due to the surgical radicality, which is essential not only for the clearing of malignant tumours, but also for benign cases, in order to reduce recurrences. Although a conservative treatment of NU melanoma with MMS has been proposed, in our experience, the conservative approach with functional surgery is a good option for the treatment of non-invasive melanoma (in situ and Ia).

Invasive onychocytic carcinoma

Neoplasms originating from nail matrix keratinocytes are very rare. Onychomatricoma and onychocytic matricoma are benign tumors arising from nail matrix keratinocytes. Only one case of onychocytic carcinoma, the malignant counterpart of onychocytic matricoma, has been reported in the literature. Herein, we describe a case of invasive onychocytic carcinoma. Two biopsy specimens of the tumor, obtained at early and invasive stages, were examined histopathologically. The first biopsy specimen showed a retiform proliferation of eosinophilic and basophilic cells in the nail matrix. The second biopsy specimen showed a retiform basophilic cell proliferation with focal keratinization. Similar to normal nail matrix keratinocytes, the proliferating basophilic cells failed to express cytokeratin (CK)1, CK6 and CK10. Focal expression of hair-specific keratins, including K31, K85 and K86, was observed. On the basis of these findings, the tumor was identified as an invasive malignant tumor originating from nail matrix keratinocytes.

[Malignant nail tumors]

Because of the large number of different tissues making up the distal phalanx of fingers and toes, a large variety of malignant tumors can be found in and around the nail apparatus. Bowen disease is probably the most frequent nail malignancy. It is usually seen as a verrucous plaque of the nail fold and nail bed in persons above the age of 40 years. It slowly grows over a period of years or even decades before degenerating to an invasive squamous cell carcinoma. The latter may also occur primarily often as a weeping onycholysis. The next most frequent nail malignancy is ungual melanoma. Those arising from the matrix are usually pigmented and often start with a longitudinal melanonychia whereas those originating from the nail bed remain amelanotic, are often nodular and mistaken for an ingrown nail in an elderly person. The treatment of choice for in situ and early invasive subungual melanomas is generous extirpation of the nail apparatus whereas distal amputation is only indicated for advanced melanomas. In addition to these frequent nail malignancies, nail-specific carcinomas, malignant vascular and osseous tumors, other sarcomas, nail involvement in malignant systemic disorders and metastases may occur. In most cases, they cannot be diagnosed accurately on clinical grounds. Therefore, a high degree of suspicion is necessary in all isolated or single-digit proliferations that do not respond to conservative treatment.

Periungual Basal cell carcinoma: a case report with review of literature

Basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are considered to be uncommon around the nail plate. An indolent lesion of this region should arouse suspicion of potential malignancy and a skin biopsy should be undertaken without delay. Early diagnosis can enable the physician to render simpler nondestructive modalities of treatment. In this article, we describe such a case of longstanding BCC of this region mimicking a traumatic ulcer. The nature of the ailment was finally discovered on biopsy and the carcinoma was initially treated with topical Imiquimod.

[Basal-cell carcinoma of fingers: a rare location not to be ignored]

The basal-cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumor in human, usually involving the healthy sun-exposed skin of head and neck area, but thoracic and members localisations are possible. Macroscopic appearance is variable excepting the pathognomonic pearl. Periungual lesions are in this context very rare and we report the case of a 64-year-old man presenting with a basal-cell carcinoma on the thumb. A literature review was also performed and our purpose is to warn our colleagues about this quite often unrecognized pathology which may need a more aggressive treatment in case of delayed diagnosis, and to remind them that all chronic lesions impose a biopsy.

Basal cell (trichoblastic) carcinoma common expression pattern for epithelial cell adhesion molecule links basal cell carcinoma to early follicular embryogenesis, secondary hair germ, and outer root sheath of the vellus hair follicle: A clue to the adnexal nature of basal cell carcinoma?

BACKGROUND

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is still viewed by many dermatologists as a tumor of the interfollicular epidermis, although references were made early in the dermatopathologic literature to the resemblance of BCC to the hair follicle.

OBJECTIVE

Our aim was to characterize the common expression pattern for the epithelial cell adhesion molecule (Ep-CAM) in BCCs, various stages of follicular embryogenesis, and adult hair follicles and, thereby, in analogy point to the similarity between BCC and the hair follicle.

METHODS

We studied immunohistochemically 16 superficial BCCs for Ep-CAM and compared the expression pattern with that during hair follicle, nail, and eccrine gland development in human embryos and fetuses. In addition, we examined terminal scalp and vellus hair follicles.

RESULTS

All BCCs expressed Ep-CAM similar to the early stages of the embryonic human hair follicle, the secondary hair germ, and the outer root sheath of the vellus hair follicle. The embryonic nail organ and the adult anagen hair follicles were completely negative.

LIMITATIONS

The conclusions are based on the similarity in the immunohistochemical expression profile for a single adhesion molecule.

CONCLUSION

BCC expresses the cell-cell adhesion molecule Ep-CAM similar to the embryonic hair germ, the secondary hair germ of the terminal hair follicle, and the outer root sheath of the vellus hair follicle. We suggest that this may be a clue to the adnexal nature of BCC and propose that BCC is the most primitive follicular tumor.