A Rare Case of a Large Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Vulva

Abstract

We present an interesting and unusual case of a 5 cm well-demarcated erosive plaque on the labia minora, extending to the vagina in an 85-year-old woman, causing pain and discomfort for 2 years. The patient was treated several times with topical and systemic anti-fungals without benefit. Histopathology revealed a typical superficial spreading basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and the patient was referred to a gynecologist for surgical excision. Our case is an alert of BCCs arising on the genital area because they are rare and patients usually present with large lesions, as they do not seek medical attention for what they consider simple irritation. Physicians easily misdiagnose these cancers as inflammatory or infectious dermatoses.