Subcutaneous Basal Cell Carcinoma arising from Surgical Drain Insertion Site: A Case Report

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common type of skin cancer and primarily affects the sun-exposed areas of the body. It usually presents as visible skin lesions; cases of subcutaneous BCC without apparent skin involvement are extremely rare. Here, we present the case of an 81-year-old female who underwent hysterectomy for an ectopic pregnancy 50 years prior and presented with a subcutaneous mass in the lower abdomen that gradually increased in size over the previous 6 months. The mass only displayed a mild hypertrophic scar the color of skin at the site where a surgical drain had been inserted. Ultrasonography revealed a nonspecific soft tissue tumor, for which we recommended an ultrasound-guided biopsy. Histopathological analysis indicated the need to differentiate between BCC and trichoblastoma. Subsequent wide excision with a 5-mm margin confirmed the BCC diagnosis. This case highlights the challenges in diagnosing and managing subcutaneous BCC with unusual clinical symptoms.