Finger Pad Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Report of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Distal Palmar Digit and Review of Associated Risk Factors, Mimickers, and Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Ventral Hand Digits.

: BACKGROUND: Squamous cell carcinoma of the palmar digits is rare. PURPOSE: The authors describe a man with squamous cell carcinoma of the pulp of his left fourth finger, and review the risk factors that may be associated with squamous cell carcinoma development on the ventral digits of the hand. the authors also summarize the clinical differential diagnoses and treatment of squamous cell carcinoma at this location. METHODS: the authors retrospectively reviewed the literature using PubMed and searched for the following terms: squamous cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma in situ, finger, thumb, palmar, and ventral. Papers were critically evaluated and their cited references reviewed. RESULTS: Skin biopsy established the patient's diagnosis. His tumor was excised using Mohs technique with microscopic examination of the tissue margins; viral changes were noted in the keratinocytes. Local or systemic carcinogen exposure, congenital conditions, suppressed host immunity, coincidental bacterial or viral infection, local radiation exposure, and trauma to the affected digit are risk factors associated with the development of palmar digit squamous cell carcinoma. The clinical differential diagnoses of squamous cell carcinoma on the ventral digits include chronic dermatitis and keratoderma, epidermoid cyst, infection, melanoma, and verrucae. Successful treatment involves removal of the tumor; this is usually accomplished by surgical excision of the tumor, which may include some or all of the affected digit. CONCLUSIONS: The diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the ventral hand digits is often not initially suspected by the patient and/or the clinician. However, despite the occasional delay in diagnosis or subsequent large tumor size, the prognosis for these patients is usually favorable following adequate treatment of the cancer.