Resident Rounds: Part III – Case Report: A Non-Syndromic Case of Multiple Unilateral Nodular and Pigmented Basal Cell Carcinomas

June 2015 | Volume 14 | Issue 6 | Features | 641 | Copyright © June 2015


Jonathan Weiss MD, Freya Van Driessche MD, Erin X. Wei MD, and Arsalan Shabbir MD PhD

Department of Dermatology and Cutaneous Surgery, University of Miami Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL(

Abstract
Although basal cell carcinomas (BCC) are relatively common, particularly in older individuals, the development of multiple BCCs at a young age can indicate an associated genetic disorder. Several cases of unilateral or segmental BCCs have been described in the literature. Some cases have demonstrated concomitant syndromic findings while others had unilateral BCCs as the only finding. Herein we present a non-syndromic case of multiple unilateral nodular and pigmented BCCs in a 61-year-old Hispanic man.

CASE REPORT

A 61-year-old Cuban man presented to our dermatology clinic with multiple pigmented lesions localized to the right side of his face and body. The patient reported a history of numerous unilateral pigmented basal cell carcinomas (BCC) that had started at age 28. Previous treatments in Cuba included biannual surgical excisions, and destruction with cryotherapy or electrosurgery. He denied exposure to extensive sunlight, ionizing radiation, or any potentially carcinogenic chemicals. Medical history was otherwise unremarkable and he had no family history of skin cancers. A full review of systems was negative.

DISCUSSION