Metastases from squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in southern Australia.
BACKGROUND
The frequency with which squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin metastasizes is a matter of dispute. Studies from private practices have reported much lower rates than hospital-based surveys, and one school of thought is that SCCs which arise in sun-damaged skin have a low risk of metastasis.


METHODS
A prospective study of out-patients with histologically confirmed SCC was undertaken in southern Australia, a region with a very high incidence of skin cancer.


RESULTS
Between November 1988 and November 1989, 481 patients were entered into the study and 420 followed for at least 3 years. An SCC was the initial diagnosis for 73 patients, 3 were immunosuppressed and 2 had an SCC of the lip, leaving 68 immunocompetent patients with SCC of the skin. Metastatic SCC developed in 2 patients (5.8% adjusted for losses) within 3 years. The SCCs were small and arose in sun-damaged skin.


CONCLUSIONS
Patients with SCC of the skin need a careful follow-up because of the risk of metastasis.
Czarnecki
D
D
Heidelberg Repatriation Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
Staples
M
M
Mar
A
A
Giles
G
G
Meehan
C
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001315:Australia / Q000453:epidemiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007165:Immunosuppression Therapy; D008048:Lip Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009362:Neoplasm Metastasis; D011446:Prospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*