Basal cell carcinoma presents a relatively low potential and local malignan
cy and very slow growth giving only occasionally metastatic spreading. The
frequency of occurrence of metastatic dissemination is estimated in the lit
erature depending on examined population from 0.028% to 0.55%. Metastases a
re most often found in lymph nodes, lungs bones and internal organs: liver,
spleen, kidneys, adrenal glands, pleura and the peritoneum. Authors presen
t a case of a 69-years old female with an extensive basal cell carcinoma of
the head convexity, infiltrating the subcutaneous tissue, periostium, bone
and dura mater, giving distant metastases to other bone and soft tissue st
ructures of a thoracic spine, which was confirmed by biopsy and histopatolo
gical findings of neoplasm tissue in spine. The primary lesion was successf
ully treated surgically. Despite administered radiotherapy of metastases in
spine, progress of the disease during 1-year period was observed. The pati
ent was alive with metastatic tumours present at last follow-up. Basing on
the review of the literature and our case report we can distinguish followi
ng factors which may increase the risk of occurrence of basal cell carcinom
a metastases: the great extent of the primary lesion, deep penetration to s
tromal tissue, blood and lymph vessel invasion, long history of tumour occu
rrence and the presence of metatypia in histopathological findings. The abo
ve-mentioned case fulfils the criteria of carcinoma basocellulare metastase
s proposed by Latters and Kessel and may be included to the general registr
ation list of this cancer in the world.