THE FOLLOWING case is presented for two reasons: ( 1 ) to emphasize the importance of differentiating between a basal-cell and a basosquamous-cell carcinoma and (2) to demonstrate the value of employing the modified Krönlein procedure1 in exploring the orbit in unexplained exophthalmos.
Approximately 10% of skin carcinomas about the face are mixtures of the basaland squamous-cell types.2 Some pathologists use the term basosquamous-cell carcinoma to indicate the presence of both cell types.3 Such basosquamous-cell carcinomas do not follow the local invasive course of basal-cell carcinomas but, instead, show a tendency to infiltrate deeply and metastasize in the manner of squamous-cell carcinomas.2 Therefore the importance of differentiating a basal-cell and a basosquamous-cell carcinoma cannot be overemphasized.
REPORT OF CASE
E. T., a 56-year-old white rancher, entered the Veterans Administration Hospital, Houston, Texas, in August, 1954, with a history of left frontal and supraobital pain since March 1, 1954.