13. Follow-up after treatment for keratinocyte cancer
Background[edit source]
There are three reasons to undertake follow-up for patients who have been treated for keratinocyte cancer (KC):
- to identify new lesions
- to identify recurrent lesions
- to identify metastatic disease.
Several studies have reported the higher incidence of subsequent KC following an index case.[1][2]
The frequency and duration of review for patients who have undergone treatment for a KC will be determined by the location of the original lesion, the original histopathology findings, the histological margin of the original lesion, the method of treatment of the original lesion and the number of previous KCs.
At each follow-up visit, all of the skin surface that has been chronically or intermittently sun-exposed should be examined. Good lighting is important. Visual examination (both with and without magnification) should be followed by appropriate physical examination, where needed, for signs such as induration and tenderness.
There is a lack of evidence to guide recommendations on follow-up after treatment for KC. No study has assessed the possible benefit from regular medical review for patients who have been treated for KCs, compared with observation by the patients themselves.
Overview of evidence (non-systematic literature review)[edit source]
Lesion-related factors associated with higher risk of recurrence include certain subtypes and sites (Table 5).[3]
Table 5. Tumour-specific factors associated with recurrence of keratinocyte cancers
Tumour type | Normal risk | High risk |
Basal cell carcinoma | Nodular subtype
Nodulocystic subtype Superficial subtype Fibroepithelioma subtype |
Infiltrative subtype
Sclerosing (morphoeic) subtype Micronodular subtype Basosquamous carcinoma Recurrence |
Cutaneous squamous cell
carcinoma |
In situ subtype
Well-differentiated subtype Moderately well-differentiated subtype Location on area other than head and neck |
Poorly differentiated subtype
Adenosquamous subtype Spindle cell subtype Increasing thickness of the primary tumour Location on the head and neck especially the lip, ear and genitalia Origin in a burn scar Recurrence |
Recurrence of basal cell carcinoma[edit source]
Approximately 44% of people will develop a second basal cell carcinoma (BCC) within 3 years of a BCC excision.[1] This represents a 10-fold increase, compared with the general population.
Local recurrence is rare (<2%)[2] after histological clearance, with most local recurrences occurring within 2 to 3 years, but up to 20% may occur within 5–10 years.
Regional recurrence is extremely rare. Clinical assessment for regional recurrence is unnecessary, except in those with significant immunosuppression or genetic syndromes associated with increased risk of metastases.
Recurrence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma[edit source]
Overall, the 3-year cumulative risk of a subsequent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) after an index cSCC is 18%; at least a 10-fold increase in incidence, compared with the incidence of first tumours in a comparable general population.[1]
Local recurrence is uncommon after wide excision, but the risk of recurrence increased in the presence of risk factors including certain anatomical sites, certain subtypes, and perineural invasion (PNI), for a tumour in a previously treated site, and for a recurrent lesion (versus primary lesion) (see: Surgical treatment).[1] Most local recurrences occur within 2–3 years.
Regional recurrence is uncommon and usually occurs in patients with risk factors for local recurrence (including tumour sites of lip, ear or genitalia) and in certain groups. Recurrence is usually within 2 years.
A systematic review and meta-analysis of 36 studies (17,248 patients with 23,421 cSCCs) of low-to-moderate quality identified the following risk factors for recurrence of cSCC, in descending order of risk ratio (RR):[3]
- Breslow thickness >2mm (RR 9.64; 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.30–71.52)
- invasion beyond subcutaneous fat (RR 7.61; 95% CI, 4.17–13.88)
- Breslow thickness >6mm (RR 7.13; 95% CI 3.04–16.72)
- PNI (RR 4.30; 95% CI 2.80–6.60)
- diameter >20mm (RR 3.22; 95% CI 1.91–5.45)
- location on the temple (RR 3.20; 95% CI 1.12–9.15)
- poor differentiation (RR 2.66; 95% CI, 1.72–4.14).
Risk factors for metastasis were:[3]
- invasion beyond subcutaneous fat (RR 11.21; 95% CI 3.59–34.97)
- Breslow thickness >2mm (RR 10.76; 95% CI, 2.55–45.31)
- Breslow thickness >6mm (RR 6.93; 95% CI, 4.02–11.94)
- diameter >20mm (RR 6.15; 95% CI, 3.56–10.65)
- poor differentiation (RR 4.98; 95% CI 3.30–7.49)
- PNI (RR 2.95; 95% CI 2.31–3.75)
- immunosuppression (RR 1.59; 95% CI 1.07–2.37)
- location on the temple (RR 2.82; 95% CI 1.72–4.63)
- location on the ear (RR 2.33; 95% CI 1.67–3.23)
- location on the lip (RR, 2.28; 95% CI 1.54–3.37).
Risk factors for cancer-specific death were:[3]
- diameter >20mm (RR 19.10; 95% CI 5.80–62.95)
- poor differentiation (RR 5.65; 95% CI 1.76–18.20)
- location on the ear (RR 4.67; 95% CI, 1.28–17.12)
- location on the lip (RR, 4.55; 95% CI 1.41–14.69)
- invasion beyond subcutaneous fat (RR 4.49; 95% CI 2.05–9.82)
- PNI (RR 4.06; 95% CI 3.10–5.32).
Follow-up[edit source]
Following treatment of a primary KC or related tumour, all patients need to receive counselling about their risk for further primary tumours, local persistence of their previous primary tumour and for metastatic disease, where appropriate. As much as possible these risks should be quantified. The patient should be advised about ways in which these problems might present, any signs or symptoms they should look for, and when medical assessment is needed.
In addition, patients should be advised about prevention strategies (e.g. ultraviolet radiation protection strategies and chemoprevention, including nicotinamide for patients with multiple previous KCs), and Vitamin D intake (see: Prevention of keratinocyte cancer [UV protection strategies, chemoprevention and vitamin D]).
It is appropriate for specialists to return patients to their referring general practitioner (GP) for ongoing care when their treatment is complete. The time of return will depend on the individual's lesion, type of treatment, and on agreement between the specialist and the referring GP.
Future research[edit source]
As more information about testing for specific genetic markers in KC becomes available, affected patients with genetic markers may require specific, yet unknown, follow-up regimes.
Practice Points[edit source]
Key point(s) |
---|
|
Health system implications[edit source]
Clinical practice[edit source]
Implementation of the guidance on follow-up of KC would not alter current clinical practice.
Resourcing[edit source]
Performing effective skin examinations, including dermatoscopy, requires adequate training and experience (see: The role of primary care in the prevention and management of keratinocyte cancer). In primary care, primary care nurses can undertake patient education about protection from UV radiation.
Barriers to implementation[edit source]
No barriers to the implementation of this guidance are envisaged.
Discussion[edit source]
Unresolved issues[edit source]
Unlike for some other cancer types, there are no standardised protocols for surveillance (including monitoring strategies and intervals) after treatment of KC.
Studies currently underway[edit source]
None.
Future research priorities[edit source]
As more information about testing for specific genetic markers in KC becomes available, affected patients with genetic markers may require specific, yet unknown, follow-up regimens. Combining evidence for all known predictors might enable clinicians to choose a tailored follow-up strategy taking that better matches an individual’s absolute risk of recurrence or other adverse outcomes,
References[edit source]
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Marcil I, Stern RS. Risk of developing a subsequent nonmelanoma skin cancer in patients with a history of nonmelanoma skin cancer: a critical review of the literature and meta-analysis. Arch Dermatol 2000 Dec;136(12):1524-30 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/11115165.
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 Walker P, Hill D. Surgical treatment of basal cell carcinomas using standard postoperative histological assessment. Australas J Dermatol 2006 Feb;47(1):1-12 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/16405477.
- ↑ 3.0 3.1 3.2 3.3 Thompson AK, Kelley BF, Prokop LJ, Murad MH, Baum CL. Risk Factors for Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma Recurrence, Metastasis, and Disease-Specific Death: A Systematic Review and Meta-analysis. JAMA Dermatol 2016 Apr;152(4):419-28 Available from: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/26762219.