Talk Descripción
Institución: Nepean Hospital NSW - NSW, Australia
Metastatic basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is an exceptionally rare but clinically significant complication of keratinocyte carcinomas, which are the most commonly diagnosed cancers in Australia. This case report highlights a 74-year-old male with metastatic BCC presenting as a dense facial nerve palsy, initially misdiagnosed as Bell's palsy. Despite prior interventions for recurrent BCCs, delayed recognition and diagnosis led to metastatic spread to the lungs. Diagnosis was challenging due to histological complexities and the rarity of metastatic BCC, compounded by concerns for synchronous malignancies. Definitive treatment included radical surgical resection with reconstruction and systemic therapy with vismodegib, a Hedgehog pathway inhibitor (HPI).
This case underscores the diagnostic and therapeutic challenges associated with metastatic BCC, particularly the delays caused by its rarity and overlapping features with other malignancies. Recent advances in understanding the pathogenesis of BCC, including the pivotal role of Hedgehog signaling, have led to the development of HPIs, offering improved outcomes for inoperable and metastatic cases. However, patient tolerability of HPIs remains a significant barrier.
Prompt recognition and diagnosis are critical to initiating timely and effective treatment, thereby preventing disease progression and optimizing patient outcomes. This report highlights the importance of maintaining a high index of suspicion for metastatic BCC in patients with advanced or recurrent disease and integrating emerging targeted therapies into clinical practice. Clear guidelines and multidisciplinary collaboration are essential to managing this rare entity effectively.
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Dr Robert Marriott -
