Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma metastatic to the axilla and groin : outcomes and prognostic factors

Purpose: This study examined the clinical outcomes and prognostic factors of patients with metastatic cutaneous SCC metastatic to the axilla and groin when managed with curative-intent lymphadenectomy and received (neo)adjuvant treatment. Methods and Materials: We conducted a single institution retrospective review. Patients who had nodal disease without distant spread were 18 years or older with no non-cutaneous primary identified. Results: From January 2000 to July 2015, 78 patients were treated for axilla (64, 82%) or inguinal (14, 18%) involvement with cSCC. The median age was 75.5 years (range: 29–95), and 8 patients (11%) were immunosuppressed. The median size of the largest node was 45 mm (range: 8–135), and extracapsular extension was found in 63 (81%) cases. A majority of patients were treated with surgery alone (21, 26.9%) and surgery with adjuvant radiation therapy (54, 69%). The 2-year OS and PFS were 50% (95% CI: 40%–63%) and 43% (95% CI: 33%–56%), and 5-year OS and PFS were 33% (95% CI:23%–47%) and 32% (95% CI:22%–46%) respectively in the entire cohort. On univariable analysis, factors associated with longer OS were as follows: younger age (HR 1.1, 95% CI: 0.9–1.3 P = 0.021), improved performance status (HR 1.5, 95% CI:1.0–2.3 P = 0.026), lack of immunosuppression (HR 3.3, 95% CI: 1.5–7.3 P = 0.001), lower lymph node ratio (HR 1.2, 95% CI:1.0–1.3 P = 0.007), lower number of positive nodes (HR 1.1, 95% CI:1.0–1.2 P = 0.004) and the use of radiation therapy (HR 0.5, 95% CI:0.3–0.9 P = 0.012). Conclusion: Metastasis to the axilla and groin with cSCC has poor outcomes with standard treatment. The addition of immunotherapy warrants investigation. © 2021 The Australasian College of Dermatologists