Metastatic basal cell carcinoma: Rapid symptomatic response to cisplatin and paclitaxel

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in the community, although it rarely metastasizes. The literature reports less than 100 patients who have received chemotherapy for metastatic BCC. A further case of this rare disease is reported here. The pattern of disease in the reported patient was similar to that described in the literature, but the patient experienced a long period with untreated metastatic disease compared with that in the literature. Method: The patient was treated with cisplatin in combination with paclitaxel. Literature review suggests this to be the first report of this combination. Results: Rapid symptomatic response was achieved though late neurotoxicity occurred. Conclusion: This regimen is an active combination for the rare patient with metastatic BCC. The combination of carboplatin and paclitaxel causes less neurotoxicity and may therefore be a superior regimen.