Recurrent Skin Cancer Research Articles

РЕЦИДИВЫ РАКА КОЖИ ПОСЛЕ БРАХИТЕРАПИИ В РЕЖИМЕ ГИПОФРАКЦИОНИРОВАНИЯ ДОЗЫ И ОДНОКРАТНОГО ОБЛУЧЕНИЯ

Objective: to study the frequency and time of development of recurrent skin cancer after brachytherapy in the mode of dose hypofractionation and single irradiation.Material and Methods: We analysed the results of the examination and treatment of 118 patients with skin cancer stage I-II, of which 60 patients received brachytherapy in the dose hypofractionation mode (group I) and 58 - brachytherapy in a single irradiation mode (group II).Results. As a result of radiation treatment, complete tumor resorption was achieved in 100% of patients in both groups. Within 5 years a relapse was registered in 1 out of 67 (1.5%) exposed lesions in patients from group I; in patients from group II, cancer recurrences were detected in 2 out of 70 (2.85%) tumor foci.Conclusions. Due to the high potential of high-tech brachytherapy for individual choice of dose-time ratio with regard to the anatomical localization of the tumor, its shape and size as well as the nature of the underlying tissues, there is a tendency towards reduction in the number of relapses in patient groups.

PRESENTATION OF COPA SYNDROME IN AN ADULT: A NEWLY DESCRIBED PRIMARY IMMUNODEFICIENCY

Introduction COPA syndrome is a newly discovered primary immunodeficiency syndrome which consists of interstitial lung disease, pulmonary hemorrhage, inflammatory arthritis and renal disease. The majority of patients present with symptoms before the age of 5. Emerging case reports defining presentations of this syndrome have been important in further characterizing this disease. Case Description 55-year-old female with a past medical history of chronic cavitary aspergillosis, pulmonary hemorrhage, undifferentiated connective disease, adrenal insufficiency, and recurrent squamous cell carcinoma presented to the NIH for evaluation of immunodeficiency. Physical exam was remarkable for a left forehead scar and nose lesion being worked up for squamous cell cancer. Her significant medications included posaconazole and previously voriconazole. Remarkable negative studies include buccal biopsies for Sjogren's, rheumatoid factor (RF), cyclic citrullinated peptide (CCP), anti-nuclear antibodies, anti-myeloperoxidase (MPO) and anti-proteinase 3 (PR3) antibodies. CT scan showed increased cavitation in left lung nodule. She tested positive for COPA gene in July 2016 after years of suspected immunodeficiency. Her recurrent skin cancers were initially considered to be secondary to voricozole but the persistence of recurrent skin cancers can be related to COPA syndrome. She has normal renal function while there is a higher prevalence of renal disease in COPA synrome. Currently, she is following at NIH with further investigative studies. Discussion Our case highlights the findings of recurrent cavitary aspergillosis and recurrent skin cancers in COPA syndrome. As more cases are being detected, it is important to recognize presentation and consider undiagnosed COPA syndrome in adults with suspected immunodeficiency.

Recalcitrant Invasive Skin Cancer of the Scalp: Combined Extirpation and Microsurgical Reconstruction Without Cranioplasty.

Recurrent invasive skin cancer of the scalp and calvarium is a difficult problem for which universally accepted treatment protocols have not been established. The authors present their 10-year experience with treatment of this specific subset of scalp reconstruction patients and present a successful treatment algorithm that is well suited to this patient population. The authors retrospectively reviewed all patients of microsurgical scalp reconstruction performed from 2005 to 2015 that involved invasive cutaneous malignancies of the scalp and calvarium. Eleven patients met inclusion criteria. There were 9 squamous cell carcinoma, 1 basal cell carcinoma, and 1 melanoma. Seven received radiation prior to resection, 2 were irradiated postoperatively, and 2 were immunosuppressed. Seven had a history of prior scalp reconstruction. The median scalp defect size was 141 cm. All the patients underwent craniectomy and the median cranial defect size was 71 cm. Cranioplasty was not performed in any patient. There were no intraoperative complications or flap loss. Recipient site complications included hematoma in 1, 1 seroma, 2 cerebral spinal fluid leaks, 3 partial skin graft loss. There was 1 donor site seroma in a patient who had a latissimus dorsi flap. All the patients reported satisfaction with the overall result and none were limited in activities by the existing cranial defect. This is the largest series published to date that focuses exclusively on management of cutaneous malignancies with intracranial invasion. Wide resection with craniectomy, and reconstruction with microvascular free tissue transfer without cranioplasty provides safe and reliable treatment of recalcitrant invasive scalp skin cancers with low morbidity and without major complications. Pre and postoperative radiation is well tolerated with this approach. The patients in this series were of advanced age and of a lifestyle for which cranioplasty is unnecessary for return to regular activities.

CRYO-RADIOTHERAPY FOR LOCAL LYADVANCED RECURRENT SKIN CANCER OF THE FACE

The aim of the study was to improve the treatment outcomes for patients with locally advanced recurrent basal cell and squamous cell skin carcinomas of the face. Material and methods. A total of 26 patients with locally advanced recurrent basal cell (n=21) and squamous cell (n=5) skin carcinomas of the skin were treated with radiotherapy (2–2.5 Gy daily fractions to a total dose of 60–70 Gy, 5 days a week) in combination with local freezing of the tumor. Local cooling of the tumor to the temperature of tissue freezing was performed 10–15 minutes before each session of radiation therapy using liquid nitrogen cryo-preservation equipment. Patients with recurrent skin cancer who had received previously radiation therapy were not eligible for cryoradiotherapy. Results. Complete response was achieved in 23 (88.5 %) patients, residual tumors were removed by conventional surgery (n=2) and cryosurgery (n=1). At 2 to 14-year follow up, recurrences of skin cancer occurred in 3 (11.5 %) cases. Good aesthetic and functional results were observed. Conclusion. Cryo-radiotherapy was shown to be effective, providing long-term aesthetic and functional results.

A practical decision-tree model to predict complexity of reconstructive surgery after periocular basal cell carcinoma excision.

Periocular basal cell carcinomas (pBCC) have unpredictable growth. The authors seek to derive a decision rule for predicting surgical complexity in pBCC. This study was conducted at two centres in New Zealand from September 2010 to November 2015. Baseline demographic information and an initial assessment of operative complexity (a four-point grading scale) were collected. Assessment of operative complexity was repeated at the time of reconstruction. Univariate analysis was applied to identify the associative factors and supervised machine learning was used to determine the best predictive models to construct a clinical decision rule. A total of 156 patients and 156 periocular BCC were analysed. Univariate analysis revealed that older age, recurrent skin cancer, large tumour size, being a public patient and high complexity at pre-operative assessment were associated with high actual operative complexity. Tumour histology was not associated with more complex surgery. Machine learning analyses revealed that Naive Bayesian classifier was able to distinguish surgical complexity with an average area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of 0.854 (95% CI: 0.762-0.946) whereas a simpler, alternating decision tree (ADT) that used only three clinical variables achieved an AUC of 0.853 (95% CI: 0.739-0.931). The ADT model was 10.1 times more likely to correctly identify a high complexity case. The three predictive variables were pre-operative assessment of complexity (high vs. low), surgical delays [early (<75 days) or delayed (≥75 days)], and tumour size [small (<14 mm), or large (≥14 mm)]. For the subgroup with large tumours but low initial assessed complexity, late surgery was associated with a 6.7-fold increase in risk of high-risk surgery. A simple, three-variable risk stratification system was able to predict the operative complexity of pBCC.

Complications infectieuses et néoplasiques après transplantation rénale

Infections and malignancies are the expected complications of immunosuppressive therapy, which non-specifically impairs cellular and humoral immune responses in renal transplant recipients. Infections were usually frequent and severe during the early post-transplant period (first year). Recent diagnostic methods (molecular biology) and availability of new antivirals, antifungal and antibiotic drugs made rapid diagnosis and systematic preventive strategies much easier and this resulted in a significant reduction of infections and infectious death in this population. However, new infectious agents like BK polyomavirus, hepatitis E virus, parvovirus (as well as Chigunkunya, West Nile and others in particular areas) were recently recognized as responsible of aggressive infections in the immunocompromised host. Malignancies are also common after transplantation, due to the intensity and duration of immunosuppression. Skin cancers and lymphoproliferative disorders are the most common and are undoubtedly caused by viral infections, but incidence of non-skin cancers is also increased. After reduction of immunosuppression, treatment is similar to non-transplant patients: Results are usually poor and cancer is now the third cause of death in transplant recipients. Due to their anti-proliferative and anti-tumoral properties, incidence of de novo cancer significantly decreased in patients receiving mTor inhibitors as maintenance immunosuppression; furthermore, in patients already diagnosed with Kaposi sarcoma or recurrent skin cancers, introduction of mTor was associated with stabilisation and/or regression of malignant lesions.

European Research on Electrochemotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer (EURECA) project: Results of the treatment of skin cancer

Electrochemotherapy is an effective and safe method for local treatment of cutaneous and subcutaneous tumours, where electric pulses cause increased permeability of cell membranes in the tumour mass, enabling dramatically enhanced effectiveness of bleomycin and other hydrophilic drugs. Here, we report results of a European multi-institutional prospective study of the effectiveness of electrochemotherapy in the treatment of skin cancer of the head and neck (HN) area, where standard treatments had either failed or were not deemed suitable or declined by the patient. A total of 105 patients affected by primary or recurrent skin cancer of the HN area were enrolled; of these, 99 were eligible for evaluation of tumour response. By far, the majority (82%) were treated only once, and 18% of patients had a second treatment. The objective response was highest for basal cell carcinoma (97%) and for other histologies was 74%. Small, primary, and treatment-naive carcinomas responded significantly better (p < 0.05), as investigated by univariate analysis. Electrochemotherapy was well tolerated and led to a significant improvement of quality of life, estimated by the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer quality of life questionnaires. At 1-year follow-up, the percentages of overall and disease-free survival were 76% and 89%, respectively. Electrochemotherapy is an effective option for skin cancers of the HN area and can be considered a feasible alternative to standard treatments when such an alternative is appropriate. The precise role for electrochemotherapy in the treatment algorithm for non-melanoma skin cancer of the HN region requires data from future randomised controlled studies.(ISRCTN registry N. 30427)

Role of the Medical Oncologist in the Management of Skin Cancer

Management of high-risk, recurrent, and metastatic skin cancers often requires a multi-modality, multi-disciplinary approach, with involvement of medical specialists in the fields of dermatology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology. Medical oncologists typically treat skin cancers that have failed local therapies such as surgery or radiation and routinely manage metastatic skin cancers including melanoma, basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and Merkel cell carcinoma. Here, we highlight the decision-making strategies employed by the medical oncologist in the management of high-risk and metastatic skin cancers and review the pertinent evidence for choice of systemic therapy.

Chronic Lymphocytic Leukemia-Associated Chromosomal Abnormalities and Risk of Secondary Malignancies

Introduction: Incidence of secondary malignant neoplasm in patients with chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) is already established. Genetic predisposition has been considered to be a possible contributory factor for the preponderance of second cancers in this population. In the present study, we examined the frequency, characteristics, and clinical outcomes of secondary malignancies in patients with CLL based on their Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel.Methods: We reviewed the medical records of consecutive patients with CLL observed or treated at Ellis Fischel Cancer Center during the period from 2007-2014. We collected demographic data, CLL Rai stage, treatment history, Interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) panel results and the presence of a secondary malignancy (skin cancers, solid tumors and hematologic malignancy excluding CLL transformation).Our aim was to investigate the association between secondary malignancy and chromosomal abnormalities and other risk factors using Chi2test for categorical variables and Wilcoxon rank-sum test for continuous variables. Cox proportional hazard models and logistic regression models were used to evaluate risk factors of developing secondary malignancy and overall survival.Results: We identified 142 CLL patients who were either observed (n=62) or had a history of treatment (n=80) for CLL. 67% were male and 33% were female. 85% of patients were Caucasians, 10% African Americans, and 5% other. Familial CLL was present in 6% of cases. 51% of patients were non-smokers. 5% of patients had cancers preceding the diagnosis of CLL (non-melanoma skin cancers=3, melanoma=1, Hodgkin’s lymphoma=1, Prostate=2). 28% of patients developed secondary malignancies after the diagnosis of CLL; among them non-melanoma skin cancers were the most common (78%), followed by cutaneous melanoma (9.5%) and papillary thyroid cancer (4.7%). Other malignancies included lung (2.3%), kidney (2.3%), prostate (2.3%) and ocular melanoma (2.3%). 12% patients had aggressive non-melanoma recurrent skin cancers that require multiple treatments along-with systemic therapy for progressive CLL.CLL-FISH panel at diagnosis was available in 98 patients. Among these patients,13q deletion was present in 45%. Within the 13q deletion group, secondary malignancy was noted in 50% during a median follow up of 7 years. All cases of papillary thyroid cancers were also present in 13q deletion. In contrast, 11q deletion was detected in 15% and trisomy 12 in 18% of patients with incidence of secondary malignancy 40% and 10%, respectively. No solid malignancy other than skin was identified in the 11q deletion and trisomy 12 groups. 17p deletion was present in 5% of cases and 60% of 17p deletion cases had secondary cancers (skin 80%). Normal FISH panel was present in 17% cases and 20% of normal FISH had secondary malignancy (solid 10%, skin 10%).The median overall survival time is 6 years for the entire cohort (IRQ: 3-9 years). Secondary malignancy was associated with worse overall survival (OS) (HR=0.57, 95% CI:0.33-0.98, p=0.04) compare to patients who did not have secondary malignancy. The risk of secondary malignancy is increased in patients with advanced age (OR=1.05, 95% CI:1.00-1.10, p=0.04) and in those who were treated with alkylating agent for CLL OR=6.62, 95% CI:2.08-21.03, p=0.001. However, there were no significant difference on risk of developing secondary malignancy based on specific chromosomal FISH result, Rai stage, smoking, family history and gender.Conclusion: Secondary malignancies are frequent in patients with detectable chromosome abnormality on FISH panel. However, the increased risk of secondary malignancy does not correlate with specific cytogenetic abnormality. Non melanoma skin cancers are exceedingly common in CLL patients and carries aggressive couse in progressive CLL patients. Larger studies are required to identify subtype of CLL based on integrated mutational and cytogenetic subgroup that are at increased risk of specific secondary malignancies. DisclosuresNo relevant conflicts of interest to declare.

Mohs moat: Peripheral cutaneous margin clearance in a collaborative approach for aggressive and deeply invasive basal cell carcinoma

Although Mohs micrographic surgery is the standard of care for large, aggressive or recurrent non-melanoma skin cancers of the head and neck, tumours that involve deep underlying structures (including bone, parotid gland and named nerves) are impractical for extirpation under local anaesthesia. Such cases are often referred to a head and neck surgeon, who typically relies on intraoperative frozen section analysis of the peripheral cutaneous margin. Here we describe the use of the Mohs moat technique as part of a collaborative approach for the treatment of aggressive and deeply invasive basal cell carcinoma that allows an analysis of the complete peripheral cutaneous margin and results in decreased operating room and general anaesthesia time.

Needs assessment for Mohs micrographic surgery.

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) is a unique technique that can offer the highest cure rates and maximum tissue conservation in the management of specific primary and recurrent skin cancers. However, there are many areas of controversy that surround MMS, including appropriate indications for its use, technical quandaries, and outcomes. Recent efforts in these areas need to be assessed to identify research gaps in MMS to help fuel further work. The usefulness of MMS and its methods for delivery need more stringent, evidence-based, rigorous study.

Biologic Therapy and the Risk of Malignancy in Psoriasis

Biologic agents are currently regarded as a highly efficacious systemic treatment for moderate to severe psoriasis. However, their use in patients with a history of malignancy or an increased risk of cancer is not recommended. The current recommendations are based on several case reports and observational studies, as well as data from randomized, controlled trials, associating these medications with tumorigenic properties. Furthermore, some reports describe malignancies arising de novo in patients using biologic agents. Psoriasis patients are at an increased risk of lymphoproliferative diseases and nonmelanoma skin cancers because of the inflammatory nature of the disease. A blockade of tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) reduces inflammation but also may enhance tumor proliferation. Trials have not shown a significant increase in the risk of malignancy, with the exceptions of lymphoma and nonmelanoma skin cancers, with the use of TNF blockers. However, any risk may be unacceptable in a patient with a history or elevated risk of cancer. Ustekinumab acts on a different inflammatory pathway and may have a different profile regarding the risk of malignancy. A comprehensive review of the literature shows some consensus that relative contraindications are active malignancies and malignancies within the past 5 years. There is debate about nonmelanoma skin cancers and melanoma, but it seems prudent to use biologics more cautiously in a patient with a history of aggressive skin cancer, a high risk of recurrent skin cancer, or a history of extreme ultraviolet exposure. Additionally, certain combinations of immunosuppressive therapies, such as purine analogs, with biologics may lead to unacceptable risks of malignancy. Some subgroups, such as patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease, are already predisposed to lung cancer because of a significant smoking history; these patients require closer monitoring during biologic therapy. As the biologics are in use longer for psoriasis, more data on the long-term safety of these therapeutics will be available.

History of Mohs Surgery

Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) has become the gold standard for treating many forms of primary and recurrent contiguous skin cancers and offers the highest cure rates and maximum tissue conservation compared with other modalities. Developed by Dr Frederic E. Mohs in the 1930s, it was initially called chemosurgery and used zinc chloride paste in a process called fixed tissue technique. Although this technique had high cure rates, it could take days to complete, and it gradually gave way to fresh tissue technique, renamed MMS. Now, MMS is practiced widely as part of a multidisciplinary approach for treating skin cancer.

Recurrent Non-melanoma Skin Cancer: Remission of Field Cancerization after Conversion from Calcineurin Inhibitor- to Proliferation Signal Inhibitor-based Immunosuppression in a Cardiac Transplant Recipient

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most common malignancies after solid organ transplantation. Their incidence increases with time after transplantation. Calcineurin-inhibitors (CNIs) and azathioprine are known as skin neoplasia-initiating and -enhancing immunosuppressants. In contrast, increasing clinical experience suggests a relevant antiproliferative effect of mammalian target of rapamycin inhibitors, also named proliferation signal inhibitors (PSIs). We report the case of a cardiac allograft recipient with an impressive and consolidated reduction of recurrent NMSC, observed after conversion from CNI-therapy to a PSI-based protocol.

Malignancy incidence after renal transplantation in children: a 20-year single-centre experience

Cancer is a well-recognized complication of organ transplantation. The pattern of malignancies that occur in the paediatric graft population is different from that in the general paediatric population and in the population of adult organ transplant recipients. We reviewed medical records from 240 consecutive paediatric renal transplantations performed in 219 children, aged less than 19 years, in our centre between April 1987 and March 2007. Data from patients who had been transferred into adult units were extracted from the French registries of dialysis and transplantation. Among the 219 children who underwent renal transplantation during the study period, 16 (7.3%) developed malignancy. The cumulative incidence of cancer was 1.9, 4.0, 6.9 and 10.2% at 1, 5, 10 and 15 years post-transplantation, respectively. The 10-year incidence of post-transplantation lymphoproliferative disorder (PTLD) was 4.5%. Other identified cancers were Hodgkin lymphoma, Burkitt lymphomas, renal papillary carcinoma, thyroid papillary carcinoma, recurrent ovarian seminoma and skin cancer. The mortality rate was 25% (4/16). Early detection of cancer in transplant recipients is of great importance. Regular screening for persistent Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) DNA viral load in patients at risk for developing PTLD is recommended. The occurrence of skin cancer in transplanted children is extremely rare during childhood, but cases can develop in early adulthood.

Efficacy of capecitabine in secondary prevention of skin cancer in solid organ-transplanted recipients (OTR)

1519 Background: Skin cancers are the most common malignancies in OTR. Topical 5% 5-FU has been used to successfully treat squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in situ and actinic keratosis (AK). Capecitabine, an orally-administered prodrug of 5-FU, in combination with interferon was shown to be effective in the treatment of advanced SCC of the skin. This study was to determine the efficacy of low-dose capecitabine in secondary prevention of the skin cancers in OTR. Methods: OTR who developed recurrent skin cancers, SCC, and/or basal cell carcinoma (BCC), were given low-dose capecitabine 1g/m2 divided in two daily doses, day 1–14 of 21-day treatment cycle. Skin surveillances were performed by dermatologists every 1 to 3 months. Cumulative incidence rates of SCC, BCC, and AK before and after treatment were scored and statistically compared for each patient with a non-parametric Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Age and number of transplants were assessed with the Spearman non-parametric correlation analysis for their impact on the outcome. Results: 14 patients (12 males and 2 females) were enrolled with median age of 55 (range 40–73). 11 patients received kidney, two lung and one liver, one heart and one pancreas transplant. Two patients received double organ transplants. Mean incidence rates of SCC, BCC, and AK before treatment were 0.45, 0.05, and 4.99 lesions per month, respectively. Mean incidence rates of SCC, BCC, and AK after treatment were 0.22, 0.04, and 2.80 lesions per month, respectively. The differences in incidence rates of SCC, BCC, and AK before and after treatment were 0.24, 0.02, and 2.08 lesions per month with p value of 0.048, 0.844, and 0.151, respectively. Age and the number of transplants were not significantly related to the change in incidence rates for all skin lesion types. Six of the total of 14 patients experienced grade 3/4 toxicities, including mucositis (2), hand-foot syndrome (3), fatigue (2), nausea (1), diarrhea (2), hyperuricemia (1), and anemia (1), and all six needed capecitabine dose reduction or stopping therapy. Conclusions: Oral capecitabine significantly decreases the incidence rates of recurrent SCC in OTR and has manageable toxicity. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Monitoring immunosuppression with measures of NFAT decreases cancer incidence

Long-term immunosuppression causes a significantly increased risk for the development of malignancies in transplanted patients. A link between immunosuppression and incidence of cancer is well documented and involves the effect of immunosuppression on anti-tumor surveillance and antiviral adaptive immune responses. We present a 67-year-old patient with a history of recurrent non-melanoma skin cancer. After adjustment of immunosuppressive therapy under close pharmacodynamic control, the development of new malignant lesions could be prevented. The availability of a quantitative, quick laboratory test for an assessment of the individual functional activity of immunocompetent cells that are crucial for transplant rejection, defense against viral infection, and tumor surveillance along with the ability to adjust doses of immunosuppressive agents such that patients are largely protected against malignant disease and/or viral infection are important. NFAT-regulated gene expression measured in peripheral blood allowed us to predict "safe" immunosuppression. Thus patients could maintain a stable allograft function. This represents a breakthrough in transplantation medicine and advances our attempts to individualize treatment in transplanted patients.

Treatment of Multiple Relapsing Non-Melanoma Skin Cancers in a Patient with Severe Hemophilia A

Although non-melanoma skin cancers are the most predominant malignancies in the Caucasian population and hemophilia A is one of the most frequent hereditary bleeding disorders, medical literature data about the management of non-melanoma skin cancers in patients with hemophilia are surprisingly scarce. In this case report we describe the treatment of a patient with multiple recurrent non-melanoma skin cancers and severe hemophilia A. The management of such patients could be very challenging, with possible significant bleeding complications, and requires a multidisciplinary approach.

Variation in Care for Recurrent Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in a University-Based Practice and a Veterans Affairs Clinic

To learn if treatment of recurrent nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) varied in different practice settings. Prospective cohort study of consecutive patients with recurrent NMSC. A university-based dermatology practice and the dermatology clinic at the affiliated Veterans Affairs Medical Center (VAMC). Conventional therapies for NMSC were available at both sites. Patients All 191 patients diagnosed as having recurrent NMSC in 1999 and 2000 were included in the study. Data were collected from medical record review and surveys mailed to patients. Main Outcome Measure Performance of Mohs micrographic surgery (Mohs). Patients at the VAMC were older, less educated, poorer, and had more comorbid illnesses, but their tumors were similar to those of patients at the university-based practice. Treatment choices differed at the 2 sites: the proportions of tumors treated in the VAMC and university sites were 60% and 14%, respectively, for excisional surgery; and 24% and 61%, respectively, for Mohs (P < .001). In multivariate analyses adjusting for patient, tumor, and physician features that may have affected treatment choice, tumors treated at the university-based site remained significantly more likely to be treated with Mohs (odds ratio, 8.68 [95% confidence interval, 3.66-20.55]; P < .001). Substantial variation existed in the treatment of recurrent NMSC in different practice settings. This variation was not explained by measured clinical characteristics of the patients or the tumors.

New radiosensitization treatment (KORTUC I) using hydrogen peroxide solution-soaked gauze bolus for unresectable and superficially exposed neoplasms

We developed a new radiosensitization treatment using a hydrogen peroxide solution (Oxydol)-soaked gauze named KORTUC I (Kochi Oxydol-Radiation Therapy for Unresectable Carcinomas) for superficially exposed and unresectable neoplasms, such as malignant melanoma and malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH), based on our experimental results which demonstrated hydrogen peroxide as a strong radiosensitizer for the highly radioresistant osteosarcoma cell line, HS-Os-1. Five patients entered our clinical trial, one of whom had unresectable malignant melanoma; one, unresectable MFH; one, unresectable extramammary Paget's disease; one, locally advanced breast cancer and one with locally recurrent skin cancer. These patients were treated with radiation therapy using a high-energy electron beam from a linear accelerator. The total dose was 48 Gy, and each fraction size was 4 Gy. Radiation therapy for these patients was performed three times per week. Each time the radiation therapy was carried out, the superficially exposed tumors of these patients were covered with hydrogen peroxide solution (Oxydol)-soaked gauze, and the lesion was gently massaged for several minutes so as to allow the hydrogen peroxide solution to soak deeply into the tumor. In the treatment results, two of these five patients showed a clinically complete response (cCR) two to three months following the end of the KORTUC I radiosensitization treatment. The other three patients showed a clinically partial response (cCR) showing a decrement of more than half of the pretreatment volume. KORTUC I was completed without any severe complications, excluding mild radiation-induced dermatitis/mucositis (Grade I). In conclusion, this newly developed radiosensitization treatment using hydrogen peroxide solution (Oxydol)-soaked gauze for superficially exposed unresectable/radioresistant neoplasms appears to be an effective and valuable method of radiosensitization in terms of the blockade of anti-oxidative enzymes such as peroxidases, resulting in local oxygen production. Moreover, the KORTUC I radiosensitization treatment is relatively inexpensive and the method can therefore be utilized worldwide for many patients suffering from superficially exposed and locally advanced radioresistant neoplasms such as malignant melanoma, malignant fibrous histiocytoma (MFH) and various types of sarcomas.