A Case of Cutaneous Leishmaniasis Mimicking Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cutaneous leishmaniasis (CL) is a parasitic disease caused by protozoan belongs to the Leishmania genus and is transmitted to human skin by the bite of infected sand flies. It is still considered an important health issue in many parts of the world including our country. CL is most commonly seen in childhood and the lesions more frequently occur on the exposed parts of the body such as the face, neck and the extremities. The diagnosis of CL is quite easy in typical cases found in the endemic areas. However, the clinical spectrum of CL can be very broad and it can mimic a number of common dermatoses. Depending on subspecies of the Leishmania, immune response of the host and age, it may represent quite different and atypical cutaneous manifestations which elude diagnosis in the first instance. The variety of cutaneous findings and unusual presentations can lead to diagnostic challenge especially for inexperienced physicians in non-endemic areas where the disease is less frequently seen. In this report, we describe a case of CL which clinically mimicked squamous cell carcinoma in a 76-year?old female farmer living in a non-endemic area.