A Case of a Caucasian with Basal Cell Carcinoma Who was Successfully Treated by Electron Beam Therapy

Abstract

A 47-year-old Australian man who had a history of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) on the head and back in addition to an actinic keratosis on the cheek visited the Department of Dermatology of Fukuoka University Hospital with the complaint of a pinkish nodule with a fistula in the posterior region of the right auricle in July 2016. No familial history of nevoid basal cell syndrome was confirmed. An incisional skin biopsy led us the diagnosis of infiltrative-type BCC. Because the imaging examination revealed the infiltration of cartilage, we recommended an enlarged resection with removal of the auricle. Since he did not agree with the plan, a marginal resection to preserve the auricle was chosen. Residual tumoral cells in the deep part were confirmed by post-operative histopathological examination. Therefore, electron beam therapy at the dose of 60 Gy/30 Fr was administered after surgery. No recurrence has been observed for 1 year. According to the Japanese guidelines, surgical intervention is the primary choice for the treatment of BCC. However, we considered that radiotherapy is also an effective therapeutic option for BCC if surgical treatment could not be chosen for any reason.