The Most Interesting Medical Cases of Skin Cancer

Healthcare professionals regularly share new and fascinating cases to Figure 1. Here are five of the most interesting medical cases of skin cancer causing buzz in the community.

#5.

This shows the dermatologic complication of squamous cell carcinoma in a patient who received a lung transplant. According to the medical team who shared this case, “Dermatologic complications are common in lung transplant recipients, and early treatment for suspicious lesions is crucial in this population.”

See examples of other dermatologic complications following transplant

#4.

An internal medicine physician shared the details of this case, “This is a curious case that I would like to share with you. A 47-year-old female patient had a prominent spot on her abdomen. She sought out a dermatologist who recommended cauterizing the lesion. She cauterized two years ago. The lesion started to grow and in the last month this growth was accelerated. Today the lesion bleeds spontaneously.” 

The physician was suspicious of either squamous cell carcinoma or melanoma and the community supported melanoma as the likely cause. Following a biopsy, the patient was diagnosed with melanoma.

See the treatment plan

#3.

In this medical case of skin cancer, the patient was diagnosed with amelanotic melanoma. According to the surgeon who shared this case, “Unlike most forms of melanoma, a person with amelanotic melanoma will develop a mole or similar growth that does not contain melanin. Melanin is the pigment that gives skin cells and moles their color. Because it does not have this pigment, amelanotic melanoma can be hard to detect. Amelanotic melanoma is a relatively uncommon form of cancer.” 

See all the medical case images

#2.

This is acral lentiginous melanoma, or acral melanoma. Acral melanoma forms on the hands and feet, and is thought not to be caused by sun or UV exposure. While melanoma skin cancer is not common for Black people, Black people are at highest risk for acral melanoma. Diagnosis is frequently delayed because of its location and often atypical presentation.

See the full case

#1.

An oncologist shared this medical case of invasive basal cell carcinoma that was impacting the bone and dura matter. “Basal cell carcinoma of the scalp, relapse after surgical and radiation treatment. 10 years of illness. Invasion into bone and dura mater. Removal of the tumor, resection of the bone and dura mater were performed. Plastic microvoscular thoracodorsal flap”.  

Images of the before (pictured here) and after were shared with the community and garnered a significant response: 

“That’s incredible!” 

“What an impressive case!” 

“Thank you so much for sharing these amazing pictures.” 

See all the medical case images

Published May 13, 2024


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