SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA OF THE NASAL VESTIBULE – AN ONCOLOGICAL RARITY.

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the nasal vestibule is an exceptionally rare malignancy, constituting less than 1% of head and neck cancers. The intricate anatomy and the paucity of cases make diagnosis, staging, and management challenging. A 61-year-old female presented with a painful ulcer in the left nasal vestibule for one month. Examination revealed an ulceroproliferative lesion over the septum, extending from the columella to the mucocutaneous junction, without lymphadenopathy. Imaging showed no septal or adjacent structural involvement. The patient was treated with concurrent chemoradiotherapy — a total of 66 Gy in 33 fractions with cisplatin — achieving complete remission and excellent cosmetic outcome without significant complications. At 6-month follow-up, there was no recurrence or deformity. Owing to the rarity of nasal vestibule SCC and its ambiguous classification in the AJCC system, management decisions remain complex. While surgery has been the traditional mainstay, radiotherapy and chemoradiation offer comparable oncologic control with superior cosmetic preservation in early and locally confined disease. A multidisciplinary approach is essential for optimal outcome.SCC of the nasal vestibule, though rare, should be considered in patients with persistent nasal vestibular ulcers. Early diagnosis and multimodality management can ensure excellent oncological and cosmetic results.