Palliative radiotherapy for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head-and-neck region

Abstract

Background/Aim: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is a common type of skin cancer. Options for palliative treatment include systemic agents and radiotherapy. Selection of a radiation regimen should consider the patient’s survival prognosis. This study aimed to identify prognostic factors of survival after palliative radiotherapy for cSCC of the head-and-neck. Patients and Methods: Ten factors were analyzed for survival in 12 patients including age, gender, tumor site, histological grade, primary tumor stage, lymph node involvement, distant metastases, upfront surgery, radiation dose and completion of radiotherapy. Results: On univariate analysis, improved survival was significantly associated with lower histological grade (better differentiation) (p=0.022), no distant metastases (p=0.040) and completion of radiotherapy (p=0.014). In the multivariate analysis, lower histological grade (risk ratio=6.05, p=0.100) and completion of radiotherapy (risk ratio=4.87, p=0.115) showed trends. Conclusion: Predictors of survival were identified that can help design individual treatments. Patients require optimal supportive care as completion of radiotherapy was associated with better survival.