Risk of subsequent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in patients with melanoma.

View Abstract

BACKGROUND

Patients with melanoma are at increased risk for cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs).

OBJECTIVE

We sought to examine the incidence of subsequent SCC among melanoma survivors and the impact of patient and melanoma characteristics on SCC risk.

METHODS

Kaiser Permanente Northern California members given the diagnosis of melanoma from 2000 to 2005 (n = 6378) were followed up through 2009 for a pathology-confirmed SCC. Cox models were used to estimate SCC risk.

RESULTS

The crude SCC incidence rate was 2.41 per 100 person-years, and was higher among males and older subjects. In adjusted models stratified by age, SCC risk was higher among males (hazard ratio [HR] 1.43, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.22-1.67), those with history of nonmelanoma skin cancer (HR 2.56, 95% CI 2.19-2.98), and those with higher tumor sequence numbers (HR 1.35, 95% CI 1.01-1.80). SCC risk was lower among non-Hispanic whites (HR 0.39, 95% CI 0.17-0.86).

LIMITATIONS

SCC risk was not examined among members without melanoma.

CONCLUSIONS

SCCs arise in approximately 12% of patients with melanoma over a 5-year period and are more common among males, whites, patients older than 60 years, those with prior reportable cancers, and those with history of nonmelanoma skin cancer. Clinicians should be vigilant for SCCs among these individuals at high risk, and counsel melanoma survivors about their increased risk for SCCs.

Investigators
Abbreviation
J. Am. Acad. Dermatol.
Publication Date
2014-05-21
Volume
71
Issue
3
Page Numbers
521-8
Pubmed ID
24856040
Medium
Print-Electronic
Full Title
Risk of subsequent cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in patients with melanoma.
Authors
Asgari MM, Warton EM, Quesenberry CP, Koralek DO, Taylor M