Digital Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Case Report and Review of Literature

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is one of the most common primary malignancies affecting the upper limb and especially the hand. Digital SCC is infrequently reported in the literature and presents a diagnostic challenge because of its relatively rare occurrence and mimicry of benign conditions. Many risk factors have been identified including immuno suppression, Human Papilloma Virus (HPV), trauma, chronic scars, and exposure to radiation and carcinogens. Treatment varies from Mohs micrographic surgery to amputation. After review of literature, rates of recurrence and metastasis seem to be higher for SCC affecting the hand compared to other sites and digital SCC has a high rate of recurrence with a low metastatic rate. Through this paper we report the case of a 70-year-old woman with SCC of the fourth right finger that extended from the proximal nailfold to the ventral finger, and we aim to highlight the importance of an early diagnosis, leading to an early treatment which is the only guarantor of an effective treatment with digit preservation and good function.