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Subungual squamous cell carcinoma

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Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma of the nail bed is quite uncommon and is often mistaken for other conditions, causing a delay in diagnosis which, once the condition metastasises, can be fatal. We present the case of an 89-year-old man with a 2-year history of a painful lesion under his nail bed in whom histology confirmed subungual squamous cell carcinoma, and who underwent amputation at the level of the interphalangeal joint of his right thumb. It is important that the presence of a rapidly growing tumour suggest the possibility of malignancy, as early and exploratory nail plate removal for the evaluation of any suspicious subungual lesions may allow the avoidance of amputation.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Northern Ireland Plastic and Maxillofacial Service, Ulster Hospital, Belfast, BT16 1RH, UK

    H. Tabesh, S. Wilson & A. G. Leonard

Authors
  1. H. Tabesh
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  2. S. Wilson
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  3. A. G. Leonard
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Correspondence to H. Tabesh.

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Tabesh, H., Wilson, S. & Leonard, A.G. Subungual squamous cell carcinoma. Eur J Plast Surg 26, 258–259 (2003). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-003-0490-0

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-003-0490-0

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