Advanced squamous cell carcinoma with myiasis: a case report

Advanced squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is a challenge for treatment. It is also a risk factor for unintended infestation with Diptera larvae (maggots) known as myiasis. We describe a rare case of cutaneous myiasis located on a giant SCC of the face in an elderly female. Myiasis coupled with malignant skin conditions provides a unique surgical challenge as it is associated with a significantly increased risk of complications and mortalities. A literature review using PUBMED revealed 15 cases of SCC-associated myiasis due to different species. It is not only a disease of older age, as two of the patients were in their 20s. Pain, bleeding, and infection are possible symptoms due to infestation but not all patients reported complaints. Treatment aims to completely remove all maggots and to prevent secondary tissue damage with blindness due to eyeball destruction as one of the worst.