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Review
. 2017 May 11;11(1):136.
doi: 10.1186/s13256-017-1281-8.

A giant squamous cell carcinoma of the skin of the thoracic wall: a case report and review of the literature

Evangelos P Misiakos  1 , Vasileia Damaskou  2 , Anna Koumarianou  3 , Alina-Roxani Gouloumi  2 , Paul Patapis  4 , Nick Zavras  4 , Anastasios Machairas  4
Affiliations
Review

A giant squamous cell carcinoma of the skin of the thoracic wall: a case report and review of the literature

Evangelos P Misiakos et al. J Med Case Rep. .

Abstract

Background: We report a case of a 48-year-old white woman who presented with a huge cutaneous protruding tumor of the thoracic wall below her left breast.

Case presentation: The lesion was excised with clear margins from the adjacent skin, and subcutaneous tissue was left to heal with second intention. A histological examination of the surgical specimen revealed a well-differentiated infiltrative cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Our patient neglected to attend our Oncological Department to receive chemotherapy. Today, 12 months after surgery, she is alive and without evidence of disease recurrence.

Conclusions: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma can reach a huge size if left untreated. Surgery is the primary mode of treatment, followed by chemotherapy if applicable.

Keywords: Carcinoma; Cutaneous; Invasion; Metastasis; Squamous.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
A huge exophytic tumor is prominent on the left thoracic wall, under the left breast. The adjacent skin shows erythematous atrophic areas and extensive hyperpigmentation
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
Timeline
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
The resected tumor surrounded by a rim of normal skin including the adjacent subcutaneous tissue is shown
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
On microscopic examination, a well-differentiated invasive squamous cell carcinoma composed of cells that resemble those of the normal squamous epithelium is shown. Keratinization is evident. Hematoxylin-eosin × 20
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
The adjacent skin shows acanthosis and a lichenoid infiltrate with pigment incontinence. Hematoxylin-eosin × 10
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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