Los nuevos sistemas de estadificación del AJCC incorporan novedades en el cáncer cutáneo

Squamous cell carcinoma in solid organ transplant recipients: Review of the literature

Solid organ transplant recipients (SOTRs) exhibit an elevated incidence and aggressiveness of squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) due to their immunosuppression. These tumors are associated with a heightened risk of metastasis and increased mortality. Therefore, an appropriate management of these patients is essential to improve their prognosis. Given the scarcity of studies on non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) in SOTRs, this article aims to summarize and analyze the evidence gathered to date regarding therapeutic approaches, personalized monitoring, and prevention strategies for SCCs in these patients. Additionally, recent advancements in understanding SCCs within this patient group are also documented.

[Translated article] Longitudinal Study of Different Progression Patterns in High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second leading cause of skin cancer mortality in Europe. Few studies have analyzed the different pathways of this tumor progression in its natural history. The main objective of this study was to analyze the different metastatic and progression pathways and their temporal occurrence in the evolution of cSCC.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, and observational study of consecutive high-risk sSCCs included in the SQUAMATA project.

RESULTS

A total of 222 out of the 1346 patients included relapsed. The most frequent route of progression was the lymphatic one (62.6%). A total of 20.2% of the cases with lymphatic progression developed distant metastases. Only 1 case (3.1%) of distant metastasis followed local recurrence without previous lymphatic metastasis. The median time to disease-related mortality was longer in patients who developed systemic metastases than in those who died of locoregional progression.

CONCLUSIONS

The mortality of patients with cSCC is mostly due to the regional progression of their lymphatic metastases. The appearance of distant metastases is practically always (96.9%) associated with previous lymphatic metastatic progression. Therefore, in the future, new studies will be needed to assess the regional management of cSCC in both surgical and adjuvant therapies.

Longitudinal Study of Different Progression Patterns in High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second leading cause of skin cancer mortality in Europe. Few studies have analyzed the different pathways of this tumor progression in its natural history. The main objective of this study was to analyze the different metastatic and progression pathways and their temporal occurrence in the evolution of cSCC.

MATERIAL AND METHOD

We conducted a multicenter, retrospective, and observational study of consecutive high-risk sSCCs included in the SQUAMATA project.

RESULTS

A total of 222 out of the 1346 patients included relapsed. The most frequent route of progression was the lymphatic one (62.6%). A total of 20.2% of the cases with lymphatic progression developed distant metastases. Only 1 case (3.1%) of distant metastasis followed local recurrence without previous lymphatic metastasis. The median time to disease-related mortality was longer in patients who developed systemic metastases than in those who died of locoregional progression.

CONCLUSIONS

The mortality of patients with cSCC is mostly due to the regional progression of their lymphatic metastases. The appearance of distant metastases is practically always (96.9%) associated with previous lymphatic metastatic progression. Therefore, in the future, new studies will be needed to assess the regional management of cSCC in both surgical and adjuvant therapies.

Management of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Scalp: The Role of Imaging and Therapeutic Approaches

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common subtype of skin cancer. The scalp is one of the most frequently affected locations and is associated with a higher rate of complications, compared to other locations. In addition, it has a characteristic thickness and anatomical structure that may influence both growth pattern and treatment of primary cSCC; while clinical peripheral margins may be easily achieved during the surgery, vertical excision of the tumor is limited by the skull. Despite having a unique anatomy, current guidelines do not contemplate specific recommendations for scalp cSCC, which leads to inconsistent decision-making in multidisciplinary committees when discussing tumors with high risk factors or with close margins. This article provides specific recommendations for the management of patients with scalp cSCC, based on current evidence, as well as those aspects in which evidence is lacking, pointing out possible future lines of research. Topics addressed include epidemiology, clinical presentation and diagnosis, imaging techniques, surgical and radiation treatments, systemic therapy for advanced cases, and follow-up. The primary focus of this review is on management of primary cSCC of the scalp with localized disease, although where relevant, some points about recurrent cSCCs or advanced disease cases are also discussed.

VEGFC Gene Expression Is Associated with Tumor Progression and Disease-Free Survival in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) is one of the most common cancers in the skin. CSCC belongs to the non-melanoma skin cancers, and its incidence is increasing every year around the world. The principal routes of tumor progression are related to angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis. In this study, we assess the gene expression of the relevant biomarkers of both routes in 49 formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded (FFPE) CSCC samples in an attempt to determine a molecular profile that correlates with the tumor progression and disease-free survival (DFS). The results were enhanced by a posttranscriptional analysis using an immunofluorescence assay. Overexpression of the vascular endothelial growth factor C (VEGFC) gene was found in patients with tumor progression (p = 0.022) and in patients with perineural invasion (p = 0.030). An increased expression of protein VEGFC in samples with tumor progression supported these results (p = 0.050). In addition, DFS curves showed differences (p = 0.027) for tumors with absent-low VEGFC expression versus those with high levels of VEGFC expression. No significant influence on DFS was detected for the remaining analyzed genes. VEGFC expression was found to be a risk factor in the disease progression (HR = 2.675; 95% CI: 1.089-6.570; p = 0.032). Our main results suggest that VEGFC gene expression is closely related to tumor progression, DFS, and the presence of perineural invasion.

Melanoma in Solid Organ Transplant Recipients

In this review, we analyze the 3 clinical scenarios related to the development of melanoma in solid organ transplant recipients: melanoma in patients with a history of the tumor prior to a transplant, de novo melanoma following a transplant, and melanoma of donor origin. The main factors to consider in organ-transplant candidates with a history of melanoma are tumor stage, presence or absence of residual disease, and time from diagnosis to transplantation. Solid organ transplant recipients have a greater risk of melanoma than immunocompetent individuals. Mortality is also higher in this population, especially in patients with advanced melanoma, as treatment is especially challenging. Clinical history and physical examination provide the most useful information for preventing donor-to-recipient transmission of melanoma. Donor-derived melanoma has a very poor prognosis.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma Arising from Linear Porokeratosis - a case report and review of the literature

Porokeratosis belongs to a group of disorders of keratinization that are characterized by the histopathological feature of the cornoid lamella, a column of tightly fitted parakeratotic cells. The etiology of porokeratosis is still unclear. Different variants of porokeratosis (PK) have been subsequently recognized, each with its own specific properties in terms of morphology, distribution and clinical course. Linear porokeratosis is one of the variants of porokeratosis, a rare disorder of keratinization that may develop into several epidermal malignancies, squamous cell carcinoma being the most frequent among all of them. Thus, a clinical surveillance for malignancy is an imperative. We present a case of a 54-year-old man with non-healing ulcer of the lower leg caused by squamous cell carcinoma arising on long-standing linear porokeratosis. The treatment included wide excision of tumor with the reconstruction of the area. Acitretin was prescribed for linear porokeratosis treatment. The follow-up of our patient so far has shown that he does not have new malignant lesions after surgical excision.

[What's new in oncodermatology?]

This 'What's new in oncodermatology?' addresses the developments in 2017 on the epidemiology and management of skin cancers. We observe a constant increase in carcinomas, risk factors for squamous cell carcinoma, especially in transplant recipients where skin cancer mortality is important. Among epidemiological developments in melanoma are increased mortality despite screening, occupational exposure to UV, second melanoma and higher risk after carcinoma. New classifications that should be considered are AJCC8 for melanoma and carcinoma. In a near future artificial intelligence could change skin cancer screening practices through deep learning. For the sentinel lymph node, there is no interest in systematic lymphadenectomy that does not improve survival. Radiation therapy is essential for the prognosis of Merkel's carcinoma, and Mohs' surgery can be of interest. In metastatic melanoma, results on immunotherapy and targeted treatments include duration, dose, combinations, and the study of resistance mechanisms. The great novelty is immunotherapy or targeted therapy as an adjuvant treatment, giving an improvement in survival without relapse.