Multiple squamous cell carcinoma treated with intra-arterial cisplatin in a patient with rheumatoid arthritis

A 64-year-old woman, who had had rheumatoid arthritis controlled for many years by prednisone, developed multiple biopsy-proven squamous cell carcinoma of the skin extending from the left elbow to the hand. She was treated with intra-arterial cisplatin (90 mg/m²) every 4 weeks. After four treatments, she achieved a complete clinical remission that was maintained (8+ months) until she died of an unrelated cause. We believe that arterial infusion of cisplatin as treatment for advanced regional squamous cell carcinoma of the skin should be pursued further as part of a multimodal approach and as definitive therapy.