Review of the Management of Periocular Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma With Perineural Spread Over the Last Decade

This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy of various treatment modalities for periocular cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (pcSCC) with perineural spread (PNS), including immunotherapy, targeted therapy, radiation therapy (RT), and observation.

A retrospective review of 21 patients with pcSCC and PNS treated with immunotherapy, targeted therapy, RT, or observation over the past decade at a single center.

Twelve cases were treated with immunotherapy: 6 patients received cemiplimab, 1 pembrolizumab, and 5 combined with chemotherapy/epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) blocker/RT (mean follow-up 32 months). MRI showed improvement in 92% of patients (complete response 42% and partial response 50%). Trigeminal neuralgia improved in 92%. Motor and sensory nerve recovery were noted in 50%. Survival rates were 100% in 1 year, 88% in 2 years, and 75% in 3 years. Three patients received EGFR blocker (cetuximab) with RT: 2 patients experienced clinical regression, and 1 had stable disease (mean follow-up 31 months). Neuropathic pain improved in all cases, but no motor or sensory nerve recovery was observed. Survival rates were 100% at 1 year, and 33% at 2 years. Four patients received RT-only (3 had progressive disease, 1 stable disease) and 2 patients opted for observation. No clinical improvement or nerve function recovery was observed in both groups. Both mean survivals were less than 2 years. The 2-year survival rates were 88% in the immunotherapy group, 33% in the EGFR + RT group, and 0% in the RT-only and observation groups.

Immunotherapy demonstrated superior clinical outcomes in pcSCC with PNS, improving symptoms, nerve function, MRI findings, and survival rates compared to other treatment modalities.