04-08-2015 | Non-melanoma skin cancer | Article
Staging and Management of High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma
Journal: Current Dermatology Reports
Authors: Pritesh S. Karia, Emily Stamell Ruiz, Chrysalyne D. Schmults
Publisher: Springer US
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is among the most common malignancies in the USA and among Caucasians. Most patients with CSCC have an excellent prognosis. However, there is a high-risk subset that carries an elevated risk of local recurrence, nodal metastasis, and death. Treatment modalities for local disease are highly effective and even early nodal disease is highly curable; however, once uncontrollable loco-regional disease or distant metastasis develops, survival is significantly diminished. Current tumor staging systems for CSCC have limitations and clinicians have little evidence to guide decisions regarding nodal staging and adjuvant therapy. The aim of this review is to highlight the identification and management of high-risk CSCCs, discuss the pitfalls of current staging systems, and introduce novel alternative staging systems for CSCC that have been proposed in recent years.