Prognostic criteria for squamous cell cancer of the skin

Non-well-differentiated cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas may display a more aggressive behavior. It is important to better define prognostic criteria for these tumors.

This was a retrospective case-control analysis of a squamous cell carcinoma database. Patients with non-well-differentiated and well-differentiated tumors were matched based on site of tumor, age, and immunocompromised status. Comparisons included demographics, histology, immunohistochemical protein expressions (Ki-67, p53, E-cadherin, cyclin D1), and clinical outcomes.

Demographic features were similar between cases (n=30) and controls (n=30). Non-well-differentiated tumors were larger (1.8 cm versus 1.3 cm, P=0.08), deeper (0.81 cm versus 0.32 cm, P<0.0001), and had greater recurrence (P=0.003). Non-well-differentiated tumors showed increased proliferation rate, Ki-67 index (77% versus 61%, P=0.001); no significant difference in activity of p53, E-cadherin, and cyclin D1 between the two groups.

Tumor differentiation and depth are important pathologic and prognostic criteria for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Immunohistochemistry helps describe patterns of biomarker protein expression and may exemplify aggressive subtypes.