Basal cell carcinoma mimicking noma: an unreported entity

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is one of the commonest cutaneous malignancies and usually presents as a nodular or ulcerative lesion on the face and neck region. A rare subtype of BCC known as horrifying BCC, which is a locally destructive and invasive subtype of BCC, was seen in our patient, who had presented with a very large and grotesque-looking lesion covering the entire left half of the face, leading us to suspect noma or cancrum oris as the first differential diagnosis. However, on histopathology, it was confirmed as a case of BCC, thereby reinforcing the fact that as clinical presentations may be variable, histopathology should always be the gold standard for diagnosis. BCC has long since been known as a mimicker, with BCC mimicking lesions being a separate entity, but to the best of our knowledge, noma as a BCC mimicker has never been reported earlier. We are therefore presenting this case for its rarity.