Solid organ transplantation worsens the prognosis of patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region—Comparison between solid organ transplant recipients and immunocompetent patients. Issue 3 (27th November 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Ritter, Amit; Badir, Samih; Mansour, Muhammad; Segal, Zvi; Ad‐El, Dean; Bachar, Gideon; Shpitzer, Thomas; Popovtzer, Aron; Mizrachi, Aviram
• Is Part Of: Head & neck. Volume 43:Issue 3(2021)
• Page Start: 884
• Page End: 894
• Publication Date: 2020-11-27
• Subjects: head and neck cancer -- skin cancer -- solid organ -- squamous cell carcinoma -- transplantation; Head -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Neck -- Diseases -- Periodicals; Head -- Periodicals; Neck -- Periodicals; Face -- Periodicals; 617.51059
• DOI: 10.1002/hed.26546
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1043-3074

Abstract

Abstract: Background: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (CSCC‐HN) appears to behave more aggressively in immunosuppressed patients. We aimed to investigate this hypothesis by comparing solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) with CSCC‐HN to immunocompetent patients. Methods: A retrospective comparative study was conducted for SOTR and immunocompetent patients who were treated for CSCC‐HN. Results: A total of 177 SOTR and 157 immunocompetent patients with CSCC‐HN were included. Lymph node metastases were more common in the SOTR group (9% vs 3%), and distant metastases occurred only in SOTR (3% of patients). SOTR had a higher rate of recurrences (19% vs 10%), which were mostly regional (7%) and distant (3%). The 2‐year disease‐specific survival of SOTR was lower (93% vs 100%). Conclusions: SOTR with CSCC‐HN has significantly worse outcomes compared to immunocompetent patients. Solid‐organ transplantation should be regarded as a negative prognostic factor in patients with CSCC‐HN.