Facial nerve palsy as a result of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

Perineural invasion is increasingly recognized as a significant mode of tumor spread in squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin. Clinically, it is very difficult to diagnose perineural involvement in the majority of patients due to the lack of symptoms. The occasional propensity for perineural invasion from SCCs of the skin of the head and neck region is well documented and, although SCCs arising from actinically damaged skin reportedly have a low incidence of metastasis or deep invasion, failure to recognize this potential mode of spread could result in fatal consequences.