Clinicopathological Study of 13 Cases of Squamous Cell Carcinoma Complicating Hidradenitis Suppurativa

Abstract

Background: To the best of our knowledge, only 52 cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) complicating hidradenitis suppurativa (HS) have been reported since 1958. We describe 13 new cases. Methods: We propose a clinical and histological analysis of our cases. We include these results in a review of previously reported cases to analyze a total of 65 patients. In our series of 13 cases, we also investigate the presence of human papillomavirus (HPV) in tumor samples, by polymerase chain reaction (PCR) on paraffin-embedded material. Results: Malignant transformation affects mainly men with a long-term history of genitoanal HS. Although our cases were 7 well-differentiated carcinomas and 6 verrucous carcinomas, lymphatic and visceral metastasis occurred in 2 and 3 cases, respectively. With PCR, we demonstrated presence of HPV in genitoanal tumoral lesions, principally HPV-16. Conclusion: SCC complicating HS evolves poorly, despite a good histological prognosis. Our results sustain the implication of HPV in the malignant transformation of HS.

Hidradenitis suppurativa is a systemic disease with substantial comorbidity burden: A chart-verified case-control analysis

“…Although our prevalence of SCC in HS (0.5%) is lower than that reported previously (4.6%), we believe this to be a more accurate reflection of the true prevalence of SCC in these patients because of a significantly larger HS sample in our study. 41 Patients with HS were significantly more likely to be given a diagnosis of psychiatric disorders, alcohol dependence, and drug dependence, lending further support to a higher psychosocial burden in this population. HS is one of the highest life-impacting diseases in dermatology with more disability from pain, more sick leave, and worse health in general than other dermatologic diseases.…”

“…Previous reports of SCC in HS have occurred primarily in male patients, most frequently in anogenital skin, and are postulated to be a result of a predisposition for chronic ulcers and fistulas. 10,[39][40][41] Although our data demonstrated a greater risk of SCC in patients with HS, a retrospective chart review of the SCC cases in our HS sample revealed no association with male gender or preference for the anogenital region. In fact, of the 9 patients with SCC in our sample, all were Caucasian and 7 were female.…”

Efficacy of Infliximab for Hidradenitis Suppurativa: Assessment of Clinical and Biological Inflammatory Markers

“…As HS is a suppurative disease, initially sterile but quickly colonized by various bacteria, and with an increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma, infliximab must be used with care, with a regular clinical examination and precise recommendations to the patient and the general practitioner (25).…”

À propos d’un cas de maladie de Verneuil compliquée d’un cancer étendu

“…Cette dégénérescence du type spinocellulaire survient selon la plupart des auteurs [5] au-delà de 20 ans d'évolution, c'est le cas de notre malade. L'implication de l'infection à human papilloma virus (HPV) dans la survenue de la dégénérescence a été rapportée par Lavogiez et al [6]. Cette infection n'a pas été cherchée chez notre patient.…”