Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Skin in Adolescence

Abstract

IN SPITE OF its frequent occurrence in adults, squamous cell carcinoma of the skin is very rare in children. A computer search of the literature shows that only two cases of this disease have been reported in adolescents. We report a third case. Report of a Case A 14-year-old boy was referred to Memorial Hospital for Cancer and Allied Diseases for evaluation of a lesion over the bridge of the nose. This was first noted by the patient three months prior to admission as a persistent area of erythema with induration. Two weeks prior to admission this was excised, and the defect was closed primarily. Pathologic evaluation was said to disclose an infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma, and slides submitted to Memorial Hospital confirmed this diagnosis. The patient had been six weeks premature at birth. During his first week of life, spontaneous bilateral pneumothoraxes developed; these were treated with chest intubation.