Skin Cancer: Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is a Frequent and can Metastasize (Perineural invasions are a Marker of Poorer Prognosis)

A JAAD Case Reports publication: click HERE for free full article (selected by Dr Christophe HSU, MD  – Dermatologist. Geneva, Switzerland)

 

Comments

  • Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) is a Keratinocytic Carcinoma – Previously it was called Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer NMSC (to read more about this nomenclature change, click HERE)
  • Contrarily to classical Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC), SCC really has the ability to metastasize and the risk is estimated to be around 5%
  • The following case report shows an elderly man lost to follow-up after a first complete excision – new growth were found a year later and followed the trajectory of nerves
  • Perineural Invasions are are marker of poorer prognosis, with increased risk of local recurrence and metastasis, probably by traveling along nerve trajectory.

 

Take Home Messages

  • The finding of Perineural Invasions is a marker of metastatic potential for SCC
  • No Patient with SCC should be lost to follow up – at least every few months and much earlier if a growth is noticed.

 

About Dr Christophe HSU

Dr HSU is an internationally seasoned dermatologist who has lived as an expatriate and who therefore understands the difficulty in finding a like-minded healthcare provider in a sometimes intimidating environment. [(dermatologue) in French]

Read more about Dr HSU (Read in French)

4 Boulevard James-Fazy, 1201 Geneva (Genève), Switzerland

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