Case 4. A 75-year-old female with a background of scleroderma, Raynaud's disease, hypothyroidism and type 2 diabetes was referred via her rheumatologist for pain and onycholysis of the right thumb. On examination the underlying nail bed was unremarkable aside from some variation in colour; there was no axillary lymphadenopathy. Surprisingly a biopsy of the nail bed revealed a 3.3mm thick moderately differentiated SCC. Following MDT discussion, the patient underwent amputation of the distal phalanx under local anaesthetic. The stump healed well and has showed no evidence of recurrence or metastasis at last clinic review 22 months later ().
Case 5. A 78-year-old female presented with a 4-month history of a crusted nail bed lesion and nail plate dystrophy of the right index finger; there was no axillary lymphadenopathy. She also suffered from type 2 diabetes, gout and hypertension. Histology revealed a moderately differentiated SCC arising from bowenoid dysplasia. Following MDT discussion, she underwent right index finger amputation through the DIPJ using a volar skin flap for coverage under local anaesthetic. The 2.3 mm thick SCC was completely excised however Bowen's disease was present at the lateral margin and was therefore treated topically. She has had no sign of recurrence or metastasis for 14 months.