[Gout or squamous cell cancer of the ear in a 91-year-old man - diagnostic and therapeutic problems: a case report].

Gout tophi around auricular area are common in old men. The differential diagnosis of papules or nodules on the ear includes tophaceous gout, rheumatoid nodules, basal or squamous cell cancer, melanoma, verruca vulgaris or actinic keratosis. The presence of the skin cancer, most commonly located on the head and neck, is often related to the long exposure of the skin to sunlight. Elderly patients are the predominant group of patients with skin malignancies. The aim of this study is to emphasize the importance of early cancer detection in elderly people and use of appropriate therapeutic options that take into account the special requirements of geriatric patients. In this article the case of a 91-year-old man with advanced gout and squamous cell cancer of the skin of the ear, treated radically with a positive clinical effect, is presented. Moreover, the diagnostic and therapeutic problems are presented.