Abstract:
Background. Non-melanoma skin carcinomas, especially basal cell carcinoma (BCC), are the
most common form of skin cancer. Although they rarely metastasize, they can become locally
destructive, especially if not treated early. BCC does not originate from melanocytes. We
present an advanced case of BCC treated surgically.
Objective(s). Presentation of a clinical case of exophytic cutaneous carcinoma with slow but
advanced evolution and highlighting the effectiveness of radical surgical treatment and skin
reconstruction.
Materials and methods. The patient underwent clinical, imaging, and paraclinical
evaluation. Surgical excision of the tumor formation was performed under general
anesthesia, followed by the application of an autologous full-thickness skin graft. The excised
specimen was sent for histopathological analysis. The donor site was sutured and bandaged.
Results. Histopathological
Results. : Examination of the surgical specimen revealed: - Nodular basal cell carcinoma with
solid pattern, ulcerated on the surface - Depth of invasion (DOI): 9 mm - No lymphovascular
(LVi0) or perineural (Pn0) invasion - Free resection margins (R0) WHO/ICD-O code: 8097/3
The patient's late presentation allowed the evolution of a potentially treatable lesion into a
bulky tumor, requiring extensive excision and skin reconstruction. Surgical treatment
remains the first-line treatment for nodular basal cell carcinomas. Histopathological
confirmation of complete resection is essential for a favorable prognosis.
Conclusion(s). Basal cell carcinoma, while generally considered a malignancy with low
metastatic potential, still requires timely and accurate diagnosis, along with proper surgical
intervention, to avoid serious local complications. Skin grafting remains an effective option
for reconstruction after excision.
