Dual-center retrospective cohort analysis of high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma tumors

High-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (hr-cSCC) tumors exhibit aggressive behavior, leading to local recurrence, metastasis, and mortality. The management of hr-cSCC tumors is not well-defined. To clarify the impact of clinical risk factors and management strategies on disease-related outcomes (DROs) in patients with hr-cSCCs. This dual-center retrospective cohort study reviewed patient records from 2007 to 2023, focusing on hr-cSCC tumors classified as high-risk according to two staging systems. 160 adult patients with hr-cSCC were included. Tumors > 2 cm were associated with a higher risk of recurrence, metastasis, and mortality, with greater risk for tumors > 4 cm. Nonsurgical therapies were linked to higher recurrence and mortality rates compared to surgical monotherapy. Patients whose initial treatment was delayed > 60 days following biopsy had increased incidence of DROs. Other variables associated with at least one DRO included female sex, higher tumor grade, lymphovascular invasion, and advanced AJCC-8 stages. Limitations of this study include its retrospective design, narrow demographics, and variable follow-up times. This study identifies increased tumor diameter, non-surgical treatments, delayed treatment > 60 days after biopsy, female sex, tumor grade, lymphovascular invasion, and advanced tumor stage as significant risk factors for DROs in hr-cSCC. Importantly, our study provides new clarifying evidence that delayed surgical treatment of hr-cSCCs > 60 days after biopsy is associated with elevated incidence of DROs.