A 62-year-old male smoker was referred to the department of otorhinolaryngology in January 1998. He described a 6-year history of intermittent soreness and scabbing of the right nostril, which was treated with topical antibiotics on three occasions in the same department. Previous medical history included several dermatology visits in 1994, during which the diagnosis of psoriasis and recurrent nasal furunculosis had been made. No history of irradiation to the face was present. Examination revealed a 1 × 1 cm area of ulceration on the lateral aspect of the right nasal vestibule (Figure 1) in a superimposed picture of chronic rhinitis. Examination of the throat, ear, larynx and neck revealed no other abnormality. Haematological, biochemical and chest radiology assessments were all normal. Microbiology studies of the area did not grow any organisms. Biopsy and frozen section analysis revealed a superficially invasive squamous cell carcinoma arising in an area of carcinoma in situ. Subsequent excision biopsy of the affected area with wide margins (Figure 2) revealed no evidence of residual carcinoma. The patient remains well and disease free 5 years later.