Nonmelanoma cutaneous malignancy with regional metastasis.
OBJECTIVE
We performed a retrospective study of 28 patients to evaluate the management and outcome of regional metastasis from nonmelanoma cutaneous malignancies.


RESULTS
There were 25 squamous cell, 1 basal cell, and 2 eccrine carcinomas. The most common primary locations were the temple, ear, and cheek. Median interval from primary resection to regional metastasis was 9 months, and such were commonly of the parotid, level IB, and level IIA nodes. Twenty-four patients underwent parotidectomy and/or neck dissection; 19 patients, postoperative radiation. Ten patients (36%) died from the disease, 2 patients (7%) have persisting disease, 5 (18%) have died from intercurrent disease, and 11 (39%) have no evidence of disease (minimum follow-up, 22 months; median, 34 months).


CONCLUSIONS
Nonmelanoma cutaneous malignancies with regional metastasis have a poor prognosis despite aggressive therapy. When high-risk characteristics are detected, examination of the nearest "sentinel node," prophylactic lymphadenectomy, and/or regional irradiation might be justified; further study is warranted.
Chu
Angela
A
Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, Charleston, South Carolina, USA.
Osguthorpe
J David
JD
D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008197:Lymph Node Excision; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015580:Mohs Surgery; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D013544:Sweat Gland Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy*; D016896:Treatment Outcome