Squamous Cell Carcinoma Scalp With Intracranial Extension: Challenging Case of Multidisciplinary Care

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the scalp is the second most common non-melanoma cancer of the skin. The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma on the scalp is on the rise, but the intracranial extension is rare. Cranial invasion is rare in SCC of the scalp, but when present, it is associated with a poor prognosis. A 62year-old female presented with complaints of swelling over the back of her scalp for three months, which rapidly increased in size. She also had a throbbing headache, alopecia in that area, and multiple episodes of pustules in that area. On examination, she had an ulceroproliferative lesion measuring 5*5*3 cm with an irregular surface and varying consistency over the occipital area in the midline surrounded by ulcerations and crusted discharge and fixed to the bone. Contrast-enhanced magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed an irregular lesion with the destruction of the right parietal and occipital bones involving both inner and outer tables with intracranial and extracranial components, and the lesion was abutting the superior sagittal sinus. The treatment is surgical resection of the tumor with margin clearance. The treatment plan was designed using a multidisciplinary approach with the collaboration of oncosurgery, neurosurgery, and plastic surgery. The patient underwent wide local excision of the tumor with adequate skin and cranial bone clearance. The tumor was found to have infiltrated the dura mater overlying the superior sagittal sinus. The defect was then closed using a vault prosthetic cover and a scalp transposition flap from the left parietal area. This case report intends to highlight the need for a multidisciplinary approach to the proper management of advanced squamous cell carcinoma to decrease the morbidity and mortality in patients.