Basal-cell carcinoma of fingers: A rare location not to be ignored

The basal-cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumor in human, usually involving the healthy sun-exposed skin of head and neck area, but thoracic and members localisations are possible. Macroscopic appearence is variable excepting the pathognomonic pearl. Periungueal lesions are in this context very rare and we report the case of a 64-year-old man presenting with a basal-cell carcinoma on the thumb. A litterature review was also performed and our purpose is to warn our colleagues about this quite often unrecognized pathology which may need a more agressive treatment in case of delayed diagnosis, and to remind them that all chronic lesions impose a biopsy. (C) 2008 Elsevier Masson SAS. Tous droits reserves.