Patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and with satellitosis and in-transit metastasis (S-ITM) experience similar outcomes to those with locally advanced nonmetastatic cSCC, indicating that S-ITM has prognostic value in cSCC staging.
“The purpose of this study was to report outcomes for cSCC patients with S-ITM in order to provide prognostic context in comparison to other known risk factors,” wrote the study authors.
Researchers identified patients with high-risk cSCC, including patients with S-ITM. Disease progression and overall survival were compared.
Patients with S-ITM had a high rate of disease progression relative to other locally advanced cSCC patients, but improved survival outcomes compared with M1 disease patients.
“Satellitosis and in-transit metastasis represents an aggressive form of cSCC that is associated with trends toward worse outcomes,” concluded the study authors. “Further study with larger cohorts of patients is required to clarify the importance of this risk factor for recurrence and survival,” they added.
Reference
Smile TD, Xiong DX, Varra V, et al. Disease progression in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma patients with satellitosis and in-transit metastasis. Anticancer Res. 2021;41(1):289-295. doi:10.21873/anticanres.14775
