Cystic cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas are not associated with increased recurrence risk: A retrospective cohort study
Description
This study evaluates whether clinicopathologic features in cystic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) are associated with recurrence risk when compared to non-cystic CSCCs. Cystic CSCCs can mimic benign lesions such as epidermal inclusion cysts, potentially leading to diagnostic delay and worse outcomes, yet is it not known if the natural history is more aggressive than typical CSCC. In a propensity score-matched retrospective cohort study comparing 51 cystic CSCCs to 153 non-cystic controls, cystic features were not found to be associated with increased recurrence risk. As such, cystic CSCCs should be managed according to standard CSCC guidelines, with a low threshold for biopsy of cystic-appearing lesions and immunotherapy considered for advanced or unresectable cases. Included here are supplemental images demonstrating the clinical and histologic presentation of cystic CSCCs (H&E, 4x).
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Institutions
- Brigham and Women's HospitalMassachusetts, Boston