Neglected Giant Scalp Tumors: A Report of Two Cases With an Analysis of Delay Factors.

Abstract

Tumor neglect is a concerning phenomenon in which patients delay seeking medical attention despite the presence of obvious malignant growths. This rare and largely unexamined issue involves patients disregarding tumors as a means of coping with the outward, visible signs of cancer. Here, we present two cases of extensively neglected scalp tumors: the first, a 40-year-old male from a socially isolated community with a 26 × 22 cm squamous cell carcinoma, neglected for 14 years due to his role as the sole breadwinner, geographical isolation in a hilly region, and deep-rooted cultural beliefs in traditional healing. The second case, a 42-year-old male, presented with a 22 × 20 cm undifferentiated pleomorphic sarcoma, with a four-year delay attributed to prior experience with a benign lesion, medical anxiety, and financial constraints. Both patients exhibited massive, fungating tumors requiring complex surgical management. This report analyzes the factors contributing to extreme tumor neglect and underscores the need to address psychosocial barriers to timely medical care.