Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with perineural invasion: report on eight cases and review of the literature.

ABSTRACT

BACKGROUND: Perineural invasion (PNI) in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is considered to be a negative prognostic factor. A lot of uncertainty remains regarding the classification, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis of SCC with PNI. OBJECTIVE: To describe typical courses of SCC with PNI and associated findings in order to suggest an optimized diagnostic and therapeutic approach. METHODS: We present eight cases of SCC with PNI, considering patient and tumor characteristics, histology, treatment and clinical course regarding local recurrence and metastasization. RESULTS: SCC patients with PNI have a higher rate of local recurrences and greater risk for metastasization than SCC patients without PNI. Age ranged from 68 to 77 years, 6 patients were male and 2 female, with all tumors localized on the head. Three patients had chronic lymphocytic leukemia. CONCLUSION: Based on the data of this series and the current literature, we make suggestions for better diagnostic and therapeutic management.