Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers: Biological and Clinical Features

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) include basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC). These neoplasms are highly diverse in their clinical presentation, as well as in their biological evolution. While the deregulation of the Hedgehog pathway is commonly observed in BCC, SCC and MCC are characterized by a strikingly elevated mutational and neoantigen burden. As result of our improved understanding of the biology of non-melanoma skin cancers, innovative treatment options including inhibitors of the Hedgehog pathway and immunotherapeutic agents have been recently investigated against these malignancies, leading to their approval by regulatory authorities. Herein, we review the most relevant biological and clinical features of NMSC, focusing on innovative treatment approaches.

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Attitudes among dermatologists regarding non-melanoma skin cancer treatment options

Discover Oncology ◽

10.1007/s12672-021-00421-w ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

Author(s):

Luca Fania ◽

Tonia Samela ◽

Gaia Moretta ◽

Francesco Ricci ◽

Elena Dellambra ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Locally Advanced ◽

Central Italy ◽

Therapeutic Approaches ◽

Antibody Treatment ◽

Skin Cancers ◽

Melanoma Skin

AbstractNon-melanoma skin cancers include basal and squamous cell carcinoma. These tumors have become an important health issue for their high incidence and for the morbidity, especially if untreated for a long period. Over the last 20 years, therapeutic approaches for these tumours have been improved and tailored. In this survey we provided data from one hundred and ten Italian dermatologists regarding knowledge and attitude towards different therapeutic approaches on non-melanoma skin cancers. In our study, we observed that surgery and imiquimod 5% cream were the most used treatment by dermatologists for basal cell carcinoma, while, surgery was the most common treatment for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma. Furthermore, we observed some differences regarding the prescribed therapies in the different Italian geographical areas (i.e., Mohs’ surgery and electrochemotherapy were more frequently used in Northern compared to Central and Southern Italy whereas immunotherapy was more used in Southern compared to Northern and Central Italy) and even considering the year of specialization of the dermatologists (i.e., immunotherapy with cemiplimab was prescribed mainly by dermatologists with 10–19 years of specialization). However, for locally advanced and metastatic forms of basal and squamous cell carcinoma, Hedgehog Pathway Inhibitors and anti- Programmed cell death protein antibody treatment, respectively, were used in line with the newest evolution of therapies regarding this topic. Considering the importance of skin cancers and its progressive increase in incidence, it is crucial to improve the knowledge of different therapeutic approaches among dermatologists.

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Non-melanoma skin cancer and premalignant conditions

10.1093/med/9780199682874.003.0011 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 69-78

Author(s):

Barbara Jemec ◽

Gregor B.E. Jemec

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Surgical Treatment ◽

Basal Cell Carcinoma ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Merkel Cell ◽

Non Melanoma Skin Cancer ◽

Skin Cancers ◽

Carcinoma Squamous Cell ◽

Non Surgical Treatment ◽

Melanoma Skin

This chapter describes the diagnosis, non-surgical treatment, and surgical treatment of non-melanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, Merkel cell carcinoma, and others.

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Management of Non-melanoma Skin Cancers: Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Melanoma ◽

10.1007/978-3-319-78310-9_39 ◽

2018 ◽

pp. 623-636

Author(s):

Isabel Prieto ◽

Teresa Pérez-de-la-Fuente ◽

M Susana Medina ◽

Beatriz Castelo ◽

Fernando Cassinello ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽

Merkel Cell ◽

Skin Cancers ◽

Melanoma Skin

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Neoadjuvant Therapy for Non-melanoma Skin Cancer: Updated Therapeutic Approaches for Basal, Squamous, and Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Current Treatment Options in Oncology ◽

10.1007/s11864-021-00826-3 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (4) ◽

Author(s):

Enrico Zelin ◽

Iris Zalaudek ◽

Marina Agozzino ◽

Caterina Dianzani ◽

Arianna Dri ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Targeted Therapy ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽

Checkpoint Inhibitors ◽

Locally Advanced ◽

Merkel Cell ◽

Non Melanoma Skin Cancer ◽

Skin Cancers ◽

Multiple Basal Cell Carcinomas ◽

Melanoma Skin

Opinion statementRecently introduced systemic therapies for locally advanced and metastatic non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are paving the way for neoadjuvant approach. Although none of the therapeutic options has currently gained indication in this setting, neoadjuvant approach for NMSCs is an open field and we are likely to see huge developments in the near future. Targeted therapy with sonic hedgehog pathway inhibitors is very effective in locally advanced or multiple basal cell carcinomas while immunotherapy with immune checkpoint inhibitors appears to be promising for advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma and Merkel cell carcinoma. To date, targeted therapy and immunotherapy represent the frontiers in NMSC therapeutic management and, according to recent studies, good results can be achieved.

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New Insights into the Biological and Clinical Aspects of Merkel Cell Carcinoma

Cancers ◽

10.3390/cancers13092259 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 13 (9) ◽

pp. 2259

Author(s):

Virve Koljonen ◽

Weng-Onn Lui ◽

Jürgen C. Becker

Keyword(s):

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽

Treatment Options ◽

Clinical Aspects ◽

Merkel Cell ◽

Special Issue ◽

Innovative Treatment

The Special Issue in Cancers, “The Biological and Clinical Aspects of Merkel Cell Carcinoma”, walks the avid reader through the interesting and sometimes even mysterious facets of Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC), starting at its carcinogenesis to also cover innovative treatment options [...]

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Merkel Cell Carcinoma of the Lower Extremity

Journal of the American Podiatric Medical Association ◽

10.7547/0003-0538-104.4.422 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 104 (4) ◽

pp. 422-425 ◽

Cited By ~ 1

Author(s):

Dominic J. Roda ◽

Brian Albano ◽

Bharti Rathore ◽

Linda Zhou

Keyword(s):

Lower Extremity ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Merkel Cell Carcinoma ◽

Clinical Presentation ◽

Treatment Guidelines ◽

Excisional Biopsy ◽

Lymph Node Biopsy ◽

Rapid Progression ◽

Merkel Cell ◽

Unusual Lesion

Merkel cell carcinoma is a rare, often fatal, neuroendocrine cutaneous malignancy with a highly variable clinical presentation. Due to the rapid progression of the disease, early detection and treatment is vital to survival. Here, we report the case of a 45-year-old woman whose podiatrist noticed an unusual lesion on her lower left leg and referred her to a dermatologist for work-up. A diagnostic excisional biopsy confirmed the diagnosis and was followed by treatment that included wide local excision of the primary lesion with subsequent chemotherapy and radiation. At the time of diagnosis, sentinel lymph node biopsy was positive. Due to the increasing prevalence of Merkel cell carcinoma in the past decade and its propensity to present on the lower extremity, podiatric physicians need to be aware of the clinical presentation and treatment guidelines for this elusive disease.

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Daily Lifestyle and Cutaneous Malignancies

International Journal of Molecular Sciences ◽

10.3390/ijms22105227 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 22 (10) ◽

pp. 5227

Author(s):

Yu Sawada ◽

Motonobu Nakamura

Keyword(s):

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Molecular Mechanisms ◽

Skin Diseases ◽

Human Life ◽

Lifestyle Factors ◽

Merkel Cell ◽

Fundamental Part ◽

Skin Cancers ◽

Beneficial Impact ◽

The Relationship

Daily lifestyle is a fundamental part of human life and its influence accumulates daily in the human body. We observe that a good daily lifestyle has a beneficial impact on our health; however, the actual effects of individual daily lifestyle factors on human skin diseases, especially skin cancers, have not been summarized. In this review, we focused on the influence of daily lifestyle on the development of skin cancer and described the detailed molecular mechanisms of the development or regulation of cutaneous malignancies. Several daily lifestyle factors, such as circadian rhythm disruption, smoking, alcohol, fatty acids, dietary fiber, obesity, and ultraviolet light, are known to be associated with the risk of cutaneous malignancies, malignant melanoma, squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. Although the influence of some daily lifestyles on the risk of skin cancers is controversial, this review provides us a better understanding of the relationship between daily lifestyle factors and skin cancers.

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A Case of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Skin Subsequent to Subcutaneous Foreign Body

Nepal Journal of Dermatology Venereology & Leprology ◽

10.3126/njdvl.v12i1.10604 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 12 (1) ◽

pp. 53-55

Author(s):

P Anwar ◽

S Mubashir ◽

I Hassa ◽

T Arif

Keyword(s):

Squamous Cell Carcinoma ◽

Foreign Body ◽

Cell Carcinoma ◽

Squamous Cell ◽

Foreign Bodies ◽

Transposition Flap ◽

Skin Cancers ◽

Flap Closure ◽

Melanoma Skin

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the skin is one of the most common non melanoma skin cancers (NMSC), along with basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Besides ultraviolet radiation, the role of exposure to industrial agents, ionizing radiation and areas of chronic inflammation is associated with the development of SCC. SCC may also be associated with foreign bodies. We report a rare case of cutaneous SCC in an elderly Kashmiri female, developing subsequent to subcutaneous non metallic foreign body, which was successfully excised with negative margins, and transposition flap closure. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3126/njdvl.v12i1.10604 Nepal Journal of Dermatology, Venereology & Leprology Vol.12(1) 2014 pp.53-55

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