High-Risk Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers: Identification, Management, and Reconstruction

Abstract

High-risk nonmelanoma skin cancers of the head and neck may be identified through a variety of tumor risk factors, including location on the lips or ears, size > 2 cm, recurrence, patient immunocompromised status, poor tumor differentiation, > 6 mm thickness, Clark level V depth of invasion, and presence of perineural spread. Surgical excision is the mainstay of treatment, with Mohs' micrographic surgery typically preferred to standard surgical excision. When reconstructing these defects, ensuring negative margins is of utmost importance and delaying reconstruction until confirmation of margins is recommended. Attention to the impact of immunosuppression and adjunct radiation therapy on wound healing is important for an optimal cosmetic outcome. As with all high-risk cancer patients, close follow-up and surveillance of these patients is imperative.