Combination Trimodality Therapy Using Vismodegib for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face

Background. For large basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) of the head and neck, definitive surgery often requires extensive resection and reconstruction that may result in prolonged recovery and limited cosmesis. Vismodegib, a small-molecule inhibitor of the hedgehog pathway, is approved for advanced and m...

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Main Authors: Alec M. Block, Fiori Alite, Aidnag Z. Diaz, Richard W. Borrowdale, Joseph I. Clark, Mehee Choi
Format: Article
Language:English
Published: Wiley 2015-01-01
Series:Case Reports in Oncological Medicine
Online Access:http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/827608
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author Alec M. Block
Fiori Alite
Aidnag Z. Diaz
Richard W. Borrowdale
Joseph I. Clark
Mehee Choi
author_facet Alec M. Block
Fiori Alite
Aidnag Z. Diaz
Richard W. Borrowdale
Joseph I. Clark
Mehee Choi
author_sort Alec M. Block
collection DOAJ
description Background. For large basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) of the head and neck, definitive surgery often requires extensive resection and reconstruction that may result in prolonged recovery and limited cosmesis. Vismodegib, a small-molecule inhibitor of the hedgehog pathway, is approved for advanced and metastatic BCCs. We present a case of advanced BCC treated with combination of vismodegib, radiotherapy, and local excision resulting in excellent response and cosmesis. Case Presentation. A 64-year-old gentleman presented with a 5-year history of a 7 cm enlarging right cheek mass, with extensive vascularization, central ulceration, and skin, soft tissue, and buccal mucosa involvement. Biopsy revealed BCC, nodular type. Up-front surgical option involved a large resection and reconstruction. After multidisciplinary discussion, we recommended and he opted for combined modality of vismodegib, radiotherapy, and local excision. The patient tolerated vismodegib well and his right cheek lesion decreased significantly in size. He was then treated with radiotherapy followed by local excision that revealed only focal residual BCC. Currently, he is without evidence of disease and has excellent cosmesis. Conclusions. We report a case of locally advanced BCC treated with trimodality therapy with vismodegib, radiotherapy, and local excision, resulting in excellent outcome and facial cosmesis, without requiring extensive resection or reconstructive surgery.
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spelling doaj-art-17372bcdaf3946c5bfd641771b26b6722025-02-03T01:01:18ZengWileyCase Reports in Oncological Medicine2090-67062090-67142015-01-01201510.1155/2015/827608827608Combination Trimodality Therapy Using Vismodegib for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the FaceAlec M. Block0Fiori Alite1Aidnag Z. Diaz2Richard W. Borrowdale3Joseph I. Clark4Mehee Choi5Department of Radiation Oncology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USADepartment of Radiation Oncology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USADepartment of Radiation Oncology, Rush University Medical Center, 500 S. Paulina Street, Ground Floor, Chicago, IL 60612, USADepartment of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USADepartment of Medicine, Division of Hematology/Oncology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USADepartment of Radiation Oncology, Stritch School of Medicine, Loyola University Medical Center, 2160 S. First Avenue, Maywood, IL 60153, USABackground. For large basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) of the head and neck, definitive surgery often requires extensive resection and reconstruction that may result in prolonged recovery and limited cosmesis. Vismodegib, a small-molecule inhibitor of the hedgehog pathway, is approved for advanced and metastatic BCCs. We present a case of advanced BCC treated with combination of vismodegib, radiotherapy, and local excision resulting in excellent response and cosmesis. Case Presentation. A 64-year-old gentleman presented with a 5-year history of a 7 cm enlarging right cheek mass, with extensive vascularization, central ulceration, and skin, soft tissue, and buccal mucosa involvement. Biopsy revealed BCC, nodular type. Up-front surgical option involved a large resection and reconstruction. After multidisciplinary discussion, we recommended and he opted for combined modality of vismodegib, radiotherapy, and local excision. The patient tolerated vismodegib well and his right cheek lesion decreased significantly in size. He was then treated with radiotherapy followed by local excision that revealed only focal residual BCC. Currently, he is without evidence of disease and has excellent cosmesis. Conclusions. We report a case of locally advanced BCC treated with trimodality therapy with vismodegib, radiotherapy, and local excision, resulting in excellent outcome and facial cosmesis, without requiring extensive resection or reconstructive surgery.http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/827608
spellingShingle Alec M. Block
Fiori Alite
Aidnag Z. Diaz
Richard W. Borrowdale
Joseph I. Clark
Mehee Choi
Combination Trimodality Therapy Using Vismodegib for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face
Case Reports in Oncological Medicine
title Combination Trimodality Therapy Using Vismodegib for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face
title_full Combination Trimodality Therapy Using Vismodegib for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face
title_fullStr Combination Trimodality Therapy Using Vismodegib for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face
title_full_unstemmed Combination Trimodality Therapy Using Vismodegib for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face
title_short Combination Trimodality Therapy Using Vismodegib for Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Face
title_sort combination trimodality therapy using vismodegib for basal cell carcinoma of the face
url http://dx.doi.org/10.1155/2015/827608
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