Basal Cell Carcinoma Arising in a Cleft Lip Repair Scar

Background. A case of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) developing in the repair scar of a cleft lip is presented. Objective. Primary BCCs arising in surgical scars are very rare and no known reported cases exist of a BCC developing in a surgically repaired cleft lip scar. Methods. A 69‐year‐old white man presented with a 5 mm primary BCC on his upper lip at the site of his cleft lip repair scar. The diagnosis was made by a tangential biopsy that showed an ulcerated BCC. Results. Review of the medical literature indicates that a scar may be an independent risk factor for developing BCC. Conclusion. BCC may rarely arise in a cleft lip repair scar.