Radiotherapy for rodent ulcer type of basal cell carcinoma.

A 53-year-old white man presented with an erosive nodule on the nose for 5 years. He initially noted the growth after trauma to the area while working as a mechanic. The nodule progressively enlarged and was associated with frequent episodes of bleeding. The disfiguring nature of the growth rendered the patient ‘‘unemployable.’’ Loss of employment and subsequent loss of health insurance delayed proper medical care until the patient presented to our practice. The patient’s past medical history and family dermatologic history were unremarkable. Physical examination revealed a large, friable nodule on the nose with pinpoint areas of hemorrhage (Figure 1). A biopsy specimen was obtained that revealed a neoplasm within the dermis composed of basaloid cells with relatively uniform hyperchromatic nuclei and scanty cytoplasm (Figure 2). The basaloid cells are arranged in lobules with peripheral palisading. A diagnosis of basal cell carcinoma was made.