Rhinophyma and coexisting occult skin cancers.

BACKGROUND

Although coexistent tumors have been reported in patients with rhinophyma, few reports have described the coexistence of rhinophyma and an occult infiltrating squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

OBJECTIVE

Preoperatively and during rhinophymaplasty, recognition of subtle changes can suggest an underlying malignancy.

METHODS

A large infiltrating SCC was noted during electrosurgical rhinophymaplasty. Mohs micrographic surgery was performed to clear the tumor.

RESULTS

The patient was tumor-free with no evidence of recurrence at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSION

In the evaluation of changing rhinophyma or subtle changes in tissue noted during rhinophymaplasty, physicians must consider the possibility of an underlying malignancy.