Multiple synchronous pigmented basal cell carcinomas following radiotherapy for Hodgkin's disease.

Abstract

Multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) are infrequently seen in patients under 30 years of age. Their occurrence at a young age is often linked to some genodermatosis, including Nevoid Basal Cell Carcinoma Syndrome (NBCCS). The exposure to ionizing radiation is also considered to be a predisposing factor in the development of BCCs. We report the case of a 35-year-old patient who presented with seven synchronous, nodular, brownish-pigmented BCCs, confined within the radiation-treated cutaneous areas, 15 years after receiving Cobalt-60 (60Co) irradiation for Hodgkin's disease. On the basis of clinical, radiological, and anamnestic data we excluded a NBCCS, thus proposing irradiation as the cause of the multiple synchronous pigmented BCCs. Previous therapeutic ionizing radiation leads to an increased risk of BCCs confined to the region of the body to which radiotherapy was delivered. We consider our patient's BCCs represents a late adverse effect of the treatment with Cobalt-60.