Updates in Skin Cancer in Transplant Recipients and Immunosuppressed Patients: Review of the 2022-2023 Scientific Symposium of the International Immunosuppression and Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative.

The International Immunosuppression and Transplant Skin Cancer Collaborative (ITSCC) and its European counterpart, Skin Care in Organ Transplant Patients-Europe (SCOPE) are comprised of physicians, surgeons, and scientist who perform integrative collaborative research focused on cutaneous malignancies that arise in solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) and patients with other forms of long-term immunosuppression. In October 2022, ITSCC held its biennial 4-day scientific symposium in Essex, Massachusetts. This meeting was attended by members of both ITSCC and SCOPE and consisted of specialists including Mohs micrographic and dermatologic oncology surgeons, medical dermatologists, transplant dermatologists, transplant surgeons, and transplant physicians. During this symposium scientific workshop groups focusing on consensus standards for case reporting of retrospective series for invasive squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), defining immunosuppressed patient status for cohort reporting, development of multi-institutional registry for reporting rare tumors, and development of a KERACON clinical trial of interventions after a SOTRs' first cutaneous SCC were developed. The majority of the symposium focused on presentation of the most up to date research in cutaneous malignancy in SOTR and immunosuppressed patients with specific focus on chemoprevention, immunosuppression regimens, immunotherapy in SOTRs, spatial transcriptomics, and the development of cutaneous tumor registries. Here, we present a summary of the most impactful scientific updates presented at the 2022 ITSCC symposium.

Geriatric Dermatologic Surgery Part I: Frailty assessment and palliative treatments in the geriatric dermatology population.

Longer life expectancy and increasing keratinocyte carcinoma incidence contribute to an increase in geriatric patients presenting for dermatologic surgery. Unique considerations accompany geriatric patients including goals of care, physiologic changes in medication metabolism, cognitive decline, and frailty. Limited geriatric training in dermatology residency has created a knowledge gap and dermatologic surgeons should be familiar with challenges facing older patients to provide interventions more congruent with goals and avoid overtreatment. Frailty assessments including the Geriatric 8 and Karnofsky Performance Scale are efficient tools to identify patients who are at risk for poor outcomes and complications. When frail patients are identified, goals of care discussions can be aided using structured palliative care frameworks including the 4Ms, REMAP, and Serious Illness Conversation Guide. Most geriatric patients will tolerate standard of care treatments including invasive modalities like Mohs surgery and excision. However, for frail patients, non-standard treatments including topicals, energy-based devices, and intralesional chemotherapy may be appropriate options to limit patient morbidity while offering reasonable disease control.

Geriatric Dermatologic Surgery Part II: Peri and intraoperative considerations in the geriatric dermatologic surgery patient.

Geriatric patients compose a growing proportion of the dermatologic surgical population. Dermatologists and dermatologic surgeons should be cognizant of the unique physiologic considerations that accompany this group to deliver highly effective care. The purpose of this article is to discuss the unique preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative considerations geriatric patients present with to provide goal-concordant care. Preoperative considerations include medication optimization and anxiolysis. Intraoperative considerations such as fall-risk assessment and prevention, sundowning, familial support, and pharmacologic interactions will be discussed. Lastly, effective methods for optimizing post-operative wound care, home care, and follow up are reviewed.

Family Planning Experiences and Challenges of Mohs Fellowship Trainees.

BACKGROUND: There is a paucity of literature describing family planning challenges faced by Mohs fellows. OBJECTIVE: To characterize perceptions about and experiences with family planning, fertility, lactation, and parental leave and identify ways to support parental health and family planning for Mohs fellows. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A voluntary, anonymous survey was distributed to Mohs surgeons who recently completed fellowship. RESULTS: In total, 116 Mohs surgeons completed the survey. Their mean age was 34.5 years old, and more were female ( n = 81, 69.8%) than male ( n = 35, 30.2%). Most had children before completion of their Mohs training ( n = 73, 62.9%). The most significant barrier to having children during fellowship was "loss of education or training time." Over 20% ( n = 23) of respondents or their partner had experienced infertility. Half of the 20 respondents ( n = 10) who breastfed or pumped did not have a convenient place to do so. CONCLUSION: This study elucidates trainee perceptions and gaps in parental support for Mohs fellowship trainees. In addition, barriers to implementing a universal family planning policy in Mohs surgery are discussed.

Deep Shave Removal of Suspected Basal Cell Carcinoma: A Prospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis and treatment of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) in the same visit by shave removal may decrease health care spending and promote patient satisfaction. OBJECTIVE: To prospectively evaluate deep shave removal of lesions clinically suspicious for low-risk BCC on the trunk or extremities in immunocompetent patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Deep shave removal with the intent to remove the entire tumor was performed from January 2015 to June 2016, and patients were followed prospectively for clinical evidence of tumor recurrence. RESULTS: Seventy-seven lesions were removed from 51 patients, including 29 (37%) superficial and nodular BCCs, 27 (35%) superficial BCCs, 16 (21%) nodular BCCs, and 5 (6%) non-BCCs. Fifteen BCCs (21%) had positive residual margins after deep shave removal, which was significantly more likely to occur in nodular compared with superficial BCCs (odds ratio = 7.8, 95% confidence interval = 1.4-43), and underwent re-excision. Fourteen specimens initially reported to have negative margins after deep shave underwent resectioning, which revealed positive margins in 4 specimens (28.6%). No BCCs have recurred clinically after an average follow-up of 50 months (SE 3.2). CONCLUSION: Consider deep shave removal for low-risk BCCs on the trunk or extremities in immunocompetent patients hoping to avoid a second treatment visit.

Nodal staging of high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: While progress has been made in defining the clinical and histopathologic features of high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HRcSCC), optimal staging guidelines remain elusive. OBJECTIVE: We seek to guide clinical practice regarding nodal staging options for patients with HRcSCC via review of evolving definitions of HRcSCC, nodal staging options, and how nodal staging may impact treatment and affect outcomes. METHODS: This was a retrospective review of the published peer-reviewed literature regarding risk stratification, nodal staging, and treatment and outcomes for patients with HRcSCC via PubMed. RESULTS: For patients without clinical lymphadenopathy, based on literature from head and neck SCC, preoperative nodal staging with ultrasonography may be more useful than computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging. Early nodal disease is usually curable, and therefore obtaining a sentinel lymph node biopsy specimen may be considered in those with negative imaging while we await studies of nodal staging outcomes. LIMITATIONS: More data are needed to validate the relationships between primary tumor stage and sentinel lymph node biopsy status and to determine if early detection of nodal disease impacts survival for patients with HRcSCC. CONCLUSION: It is reasonable to consider nodal staging for patients with HRcSCC (Brigham and Women's Hospital stage T2b and T3) in the absence of clinically palpable lymphadenopathy via radiographic imaging and, if negative, sentinel lymph node biopsy.

Approaches to Perineural, Lymphovascular, and Single-Cell Disease.

BACKGROUND: Mohs micrographic surgeons should be adept in identifying and managing perineural invasion (PNI), lymphovascular invasion (LVI), and single-cell spread (SCS), features denoting high-risk behavior of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) and microcystic adnexal carcinoma (MAC). OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this article is to review the literature and guidelines regarding the diagnosis of PNI, LVI, and SCS in BCC, cSCC, and MAC and examine the role of advanced diagnostic studies, adjuvant therapy, and reconstructive techniques of these high-risk tumors. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We performed a literature search including the following terms: PNI, LVI, SCS, BCC, cSCC, keratinocyte carcinoma, MAC, sentinel lymph node biopsy, radiation, chemotherapy, and staging. Relevant studies, case reports, and review articles were included, as well as National Comprehensive Cancer Network guidelines. RESULTS: Pancytokeratin immunohistochemistry may aid in the diagnosis of high-risk features of BCC and cSCC. Reconstruction of the Mohs defect should be carefully considered to allow for thorough inspection. Radiation therapy should be considered as an adjuvant treatment option for high-risk cSCC and BCC. Close surveillance for recurrence is warranted. CONCLUSION: The Mohs surgeon should be competent in identification of high-risk tumors and to understand how best to manage, further treat, and follow these tumors.

Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Risk in Patients With Inflammatory Bowel Disease Undergoing Thiopurine Therapy: A Systematic Review of the Literature.

BACKGROUND: Azathioprine and 6-mercaptopurine (thiopurines) are common adjunct treatments for inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Although thiopurine therapy in organ transplant recipients is known to increase nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs), dermatologic literature yields less data regarding NMSC risk of thiopurine use in IBD. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to systematically review current literature on NMSC risk in patients with IBD using thiopurine therapy. METHODS: Systematic review of PubMed was performed with keywords "inflammatory bowel disease," "ulcerative colitis," "Crohn's disease," "thiopurine," "azathioprine," "6-mercaptopurine," "skin cancer," "non-melanoma," "squamous cell carcinoma," and "basal cell carcinoma." All available publication years were included. Publications were evaluated using PRISMA guidelines. RESULTS: The systematic review yielded 67 articles; 18 met final inclusion criteria. LIMITATIONS: Heterogeneity of study designs limited direct comparisons of thiopurine exposure and NMSC risk. CONCLUSION: Patients with IBD using thiopurines seem to have a moderately increased risk of NMSC that is proportional to therapy duration. Risk of NMSC seems to decrease or return to baseline after discontinuing therapy, although additional data are needed to support this trend. Younger patients with IBD using thiopurines seem to be at greater risk of NMSC. Appreciating NMSC risk in patients with IBD undergoing thiopurine therapy should help direct skin cancer screening recommendations and sun protective measures.

Imaging of Mohs micrographic surgery sections using full-field optical coherence tomography: a pilot study.

BACKGROUND: Full-field optical coherence tomography (FF-OCT) is a new noninvasive imaging technique that can see down to the cellular level without tissue preparation or contrast agents. OBJECTIVE: To use FF-OCT to image Mohs micrographic surgery specimens and verify the ability of a dermatopathologist to identify or exclude malignancy. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two Mohs surgeons supplied 18 Mohs sections from 11 patients. Each section was scanned using the FF-OCT, and a dermatopathologist blinded to the diagnosis examined the images for malignancy. The FF-OCT images were then compared with the intraoperative hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained frozen sections for concordance. RESULTS: All 9 FF-OCT images interpreted as negative for malignancy were in agreement with the H&E frozen sections. Six of the remaining FF-OCT images were correctly interpreted as positive for malignancy, and three were deferred because malignancy could not be confirmed or excluded. CONCLUSION: Malignancy in Mohs sections can correctly be identified or excluded using FF-OCT. Although not ready for clinical use in its current state, FF-OCT has the potential to be incorporated into the Mohs workflow in the future.

Atypical pilar leiomyomatosis: an unusual presentation of multiple atypical cutaneous leiomyomas.

Cutaneous leiomyomas are relatively common benign smooth muscle tumors that may arise as solitary or multiple lesions. Rare forms with cytologic atypia, and features similar to symplastic leiomyomas of the uterus, have been described. We report a case of multiple cutaneous atypical leiomyomas occurring in a 43-year-old man with long history of lesions of the right lower leg and a family history of leiomyomatosis. Twenty of the lesions were excised due to pain and were examined histopathologically. All the lesions exhibited features described in atypical leiomyomas of the skin including increased cellularity, nuclear atypia and pleomorphism, and low mitotic activity. The biologic potential of cutaneous atypical leiomyomas is uncertain. Only a few case reports exist in the literature with the majority occurring as solitary lesions. Most of the reported atypical leiomyomas have behaved in a benign fashion. However, a rare account of transformation to leiomyosarcoma emphasizes the need for long-term follow up of these patients. Herein, we describe a case of multiple atypical cutaneous leiomyomas arising in the setting of familial leiomyomatosis.

Indoor tanning: Evidence surrounding advertised health claims.

Indoor tanning continues to remain common, despite evidence of an increased risk of skin cancer from artificial ultraviolet (UV) radiation. In the hopes of gaining customers, the tanning bed industry has marketed health benefits of indoor tanning such as increased vitamin D production, development of a base tan, enhanced mood, and treatment of certain dermatologic conditions. To better educate their patients, providers need a comprehensive reference reviewing the evidence that support or oppose these claims. In this work, we conducted an evidence-based review of the literature to identify and grade studies that investigate health claims related to UV exposure. Results indicate that there is little evidence to support each of these proposed health benefits. Tanning beds emit primarily UVA radiation, which is relatively ineffective at activating vitamin D or mood enhancing pathways, and the effects are minimal in regard to tanning beds generating a protective base tan or treating dermatologic conditions compared with the increased risk of skin cancer. Health care providers must continue to warn and educate patients about the misleading information propagated by the tanning bed industry as well as about the dangers of artificial UV radiation.

Case Report: Single Dose Anti-PD1 in a Patient With Metastatic Melanoma and Cardiac Allograft.

Background: Immune-checkpoint inhibition has improved outcomes in metastatic melanoma. However, limited data describes the safety and efficacy of this treatment in the setting of cardiac allograft. Emerging translational and clinical evidence suggests that the majority of the benefit from these therapies is driven by the initial dose(s), and that attenuated dosing schedules may be as effective as continuous treatment. Case presentation: We present a case vignette of a cardiac transplant recipient with metastatic melanoma who experienced six months of clinical benefit after one dose of pembrolizumab and did not suffer allograft rejection. Conclusion: This case adds to the current available literature on the administration of checkpoint inhibitors in patients with cardiac allografts. Further, it explores potential markers of immunotherapy response and supports the potential of shorter or individualized immune-checkpoint blockade dosing strategies.

Mohs surgery is effective for high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is effective in the treatment of invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). High-risk SCC has a more guarded prognosis. OBJECTIVES: To report the outcome of patients with high-risk SCCs treated with MMS. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Two hundred fifteen patients with 260 high-risk cutaneous SCCs were reviewed in a single-center retrospective study, considering rates of recurrence, metastasis, and death. Cases were analyzed according to sex, age, immunocompetency status, tumor depth, lesion site, perineural disease, death rate, cause of death, secondary SCC, and melanoma. Seventy-seven percent of patients were male; 23% were female. Average age was 70.6. Twenty percent of patients were immunosuppressed. Mean follow-up was 3.9 years. RESULTS: There were three local recurrences (1.2%). Twelve (4.6%) tumors involved named nerve trunks. In eight of these cases, adjuvant radiation therapy was employed. Six (2.3%) tumors metastasized, with one fatality from disease. Seventy-five percent of patients developed another cutaneous SCC, and 7.7% developed a subsequent malignant melanoma. CONCLUSIONS: MMS is an effective treatment for high-risk cutaneous SCC. This represents the largest single-center study of high-risk SCC supporting the use of MMS. Adjuvant radiotherapy was reserved for large-nerve perineural disease. There was a low recurrence rate and disease-specific mortality. Prompt recognition of metastatic disease allowed for curative therapy. Patients with one high-risk SCC are likely to develop secondary primary SCC and melanoma.