Metastases in dermatological patients with squamous cell carcinoma

Abstract

Two hundred eleven patients in whom squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin had been diagnosed between 1950 and 1959 were followed up from Jan 1, 1976, to establish the incidence of metastases. A systemic study was carried out through follow-up examinations and tracing through population registers. We found 3.3% metastases in 153 patients with skin SCC and 11% metastases in 55 patients with labial SCC. Three patients with genital SCC were free of metastases. These results and the available literature on patients with SCC of osteomyelitic foci and scars from burns or x-ray treatment indicate that sharp distinctions must be made among three groups of SCC; mucocutaneous, primary cutaneous, and cutaneous SCC secondary to inflammatory and degenerative processes. The incidence of metastases in the three groups is approximately 11%, 3%, and 10% to 30%, respectively. Percentages found are important to dermatology clinics because skin SCC should be considered a malignant tumor with a higher incidence of metastases than previously assumed.

Functional Protein Pathway Activation Mapping of the Progression of Normal Skin to Squamous Cell Carcinoma

“…SCC involves the malignant transformation and proliferation of squamous cells, which are the most abundant cell type in the epidermis. SCC can demonstrate aggressive behavior as seen in advanced high risk lesions with increased risk for metastasis although this represents a small proportion (4, 5). The majority of SCCs occur on sun-exposed areas of the body and have been strongly associated with chronic sun exposure (6).…”

Pseudoepitheliomatous hyperplasia in chronic cutaneous wounds

“…Ntrtrretoirs icpotts have docrttrrented the developmerrt of carcirujma in skitr sulDJecled to non-solatflamage, pat-ticrthtrly thertual injrrr\' and injrrry a.s-sociated with chr-onic nonhealing wounds such as irlcers, (Isttrlas, and osteomyelitic sinuses (9)(10)(11)(12)(13). The eporntn, "Matjolin's ulcer", encompasses squamous or basal cell carcincima, and rar-ely other rnaligtiarrcies, which arise within a degenerating scar.…”

“…The eporntn, "Matjolin's ulcer", encompasses squamous or basal cell carcincima, and rar-ely other rnaligtiarrcies, which arise within a degenerating scar. The irrter-\al between injury and malignancy is rrsttally 20-30 yr but can be as short as 4-6 wk (11). Although the trrte incidence is irnknown, reports have suggested that as many as 2% of all cutaneoirs SCX] may arise via this inechanisrii (2,11,13).…”

“…The irrter-\al between injury and malignancy is rrsttally 20-30 yr but can be as short as 4-6 wk (11). Although the trrte incidence is irnknown, reports have suggested that as many as 2% of all cutaneoirs SCX] may arise via this inechanisrii (2,11,13). In addition, lesiotrs arising in a nc:)n-actinic setting carry a distincth' worse pr-ognosis than those arisiirg secondary to actinic damage (9,11,14).…”

Cutaneous lesions of the nose

“…The likelihood of metastasis increases with tumors with a diameter of at least 15 mm and a Breslow tumor thickness (vertical) of at least 2 mm [137]. Death occurs in three-quarters of patients with metastasis [153,154]. The parotid gland is the "metastatic basin" for cutaneous SCC of the head and neck because it drains via lymphatic vessels on the nose, cheek and forehead [155].…”