Management of a recurrence of a squamous cell carcinoma of the scalp with extension to the brain: A case report and literature review

BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common form of nonmelanoma skin cancer after basal cell carcinoma. Simple excision can be the treatment at early stages of diagnosis. However, at late stages, treatment is more complex due to extension to the skull and the dura. In extremely rare cases, it can invade the brain making it a challenging situation for treatment. CASE DESCRIPTION: We present the case of a 54-year-old man with a history of cutaneous SCC who presented an invasive left frontal recurrence with brain invasion 19 years after initial surgery. The patient underwent surgery which consisted in tumor removal and bone and skin reconstruction. Immediate and late outcomes were favorable. CONCLUSION: Multidisciplinary treatment for SCC diagnosed in advanced stages is the best way to obtain encouraging results. Although significant advancements have been made, further study is needed for cases with advanced disease.