Detection of Subclinical Disease with Baseline and Surveillance Imaging in High-Risk Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinomas

Author Type(s)

Student

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

November 2019

Journal Title

Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology

Abstract

BACKGROUND: There are limited studies on imaging for management of high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HRCSSC). OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the impact of baseline (i.e. at diagnosis) and surveillance (i.e. subsequent time points following diagnosis) imaging on management of HRCSCCs. METHODS: All primary CSSCs treated at Brigham and Women's Hospital (BWH) Mohs Surgery Clinic and Dana-Farber Cancer Institute High-Risk Skin Cancer Clinic from 1/1/2017-6/1/2019 were reviewed to identify tumors that underwent baseline or surveillance imaging. Tumors that underwent imaging were reviewed to determine the impact of imaging on management and ability of imaging to identify subclinical disease. RESULTS: Eighty-three patients underwent imaging for 87 primary HRCSCCs, of which 48 (58%) underwent surveillance imaging. 146 (59%) abnormal results were obtained from 248 imaging studies. Management was altered by 42 (24%) studies. Imaging detected subclinical disease in 21% of cases studied. A majority (56%) of detections were not seen initially but rather during surveillance imaging in the 2 years post treatment. LIMITATIONS: Single institution retrospective design. CONCLUSIONS: Imaging identifies subclinical disease in HRSCC. Prospective studies are needed to determine best practices for screening and surveillance in HRCSCC.

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