Subungual squamous cell carcinoma presenting with minimal nail changes: A factor in delayed diagnosis?

SUMMARY Squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed is a relatively uncommon tumour that may be diagnosed only after considerable delay. The first case presented is a 79‐year‐old man with a history of discomfort and discoloration affecting the right thumbnail of 3 years duration. The second case is a 70...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Australasian journal of dermatology 1998-05, Vol.39 (2), p.86-88
Main Authors: Hale, Lloyd R, Dawber, Rodney PR
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Aged
Biological and medical sciences
Biopsy, Needle
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - diagnosis
Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - pathology
Dermatology
Diagnosis, Differential
epidermoid carcinoma
Humans
Male
Medical sciences
nail bed
nail diseases
Nail Diseases - diagnosis
Nail Diseases - pathology
Time Factors
Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions
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Summary:SUMMARY Squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed is a relatively uncommon tumour that may be diagnosed only after considerable delay. The first case presented is a 79‐year‐old man with a history of discomfort and discoloration affecting the right thumbnail of 3 years duration. The second case is a 70‐year‐old man who presented with a recurrent, offensive discharge from beneath the left thumbnail of 40 years duration. Clinical examination of the affected digits revealed minor nail abnormalities. The presence of tumour was fully apparent only after removal of the nail plate and inspection and biopsy of the nail bed. The cases demonstrate that subungual squamous cell carcinoma may present with prolonged symptoms and a deceptively benign appearance. The importance of consideration of the possibility of malignancy, removal of the nail plate for inspection of the nail bed and appropriate biopsy is emphasized.
ISSN:0004-8380
1440-0960
DOI:10.1111/j.1440-0960.1998.tb01254.x