Management of a large basal cell carcinoma masquerading as psoriasis using Mohs and serial excisions

Rahul Nanda; Thusanth Thuraisingam

doi:10.1177/2050313X241304540

Management of a large basal cell carcinoma masquerading as psoriasis using Mohs and serial excisions

SAGE Open Med Case Rep. 2024 Dec 6:12:2050313X241304540. doi: 10.1177/2050313X241304540. eCollection 2024.

Authors

Rahul Nanda¹, Thusanth Thuraisingam^{1

2}

Affiliations

¹ Division of Dermatology, McGill University, Montreal, QC, Canada.
² Division of Dermatology, Jewish General Hospital, Montreal, QC, Canada.

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer. The superficial subtype of BCC may present as a scaly erythematous plaque. This case report discusses a large BCC on the left scalp of an elderly patient who was treated for many years as plaque psoriasis. This report also discusses scouting biopsies as a valuable tool for the dermatologic surgeon to aid in cancer mapping. Finally, we describe the use of serial excisions using Mohs micrographic surgery on the advancing edge as a therapeutic option for large BCCs in high-tension areas.

Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; Mohs; Mohs micrographic surgery; psoriasis; reconstruction.

Publication types

Case Reports