Title: Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) of hand in a patient of generalized vitiligo treated by surface mould brachytherapy

Authors: Dr Seema Goel, Dr Rajinder Kumar

 DOI:  https://dx.doi.org/10.18535/jmscr/v6i4.51

Abstract

Non melanoma skin cancers (NMSC) are the most common malignant tumors in humans, with Squamous cell carcinoma(SCC) constituting about one-fourth of these cases.Considering that patients with vitiligo have no protective pigment (melanin) in sun-exposed depigmented skin, it would be expected that these patients develop a higher risk for photodamage and NMSC. However, there is a paucity of reports of NMSC in sun exposed, long standing vitiliginous skin as NMSC are rare occurrences in such patients. Currently, ablative surgery is almost always recommended as the treatment for most SCCs. Nonetheless, High dose rate (HDR) surface mould brachytherapy is a safe and simple alternative to surgery, in selected cases, as it successfully eradicates the tumor and also preserves hand function. We report a case of generalized vitiligo with cutaneous SCC of the hand treated with surface mould brachytherapy.

Keywords: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), long standing vitiliginous skin, High dose rate (HDR) surface mould brachytherapy.

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Corresponding Author

Dr Seema Goel

Assistant Professor, Department of Dermatovenereology,

Government Medical College, Patiala, Punjab

Email: This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it., 9814610676