Abstract

INTRODUCTION

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is one of the most common cancers. Young adult cSCC is rare and its clinical features, outcomes, and iatrogenic risk factors are not well defined. This study aimed to specify the clinical characteristics, potential risk factors, and the factors affecting recurrence associated with cSCC in young adults.

METHODS

Forty-three patients aged <35 years at diagnosis, who allowed their data to be retrospectively analyzed, and whose full medical history and records were available were included in the study. Their demographic characteristics, date of diagnosis, localization of lesion, pathological and family histories were recorded.

RESULTS

Patients’ mean age at diagnosis was 29 (17-34) years. Twenty patients (46.5%) had familial history of malignancy; 19 (44.2%) had precancerous lesions before SCC diagnosis. Three (7%) had a history of organ or allogeneic bone marrow transplantation and long-term use of immunosuppressants, 3 (7%) had genetic predisposition to cutaneous cancers, and 3 (7%) had a history of RT-CT. Eighteen patients (41.9%) had relapses during the 58-month follow-up. Histopathologically, presence of moderately-poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, prolonged use of immunosuppressants, and history of RT-CT were statistically significantly associated with relapse (p<0.05). Kaplan-Meier analysis done for factors affecting survival showed a relationship between survival and presence of genetic risk, poor differentiation, and recurrence (p<0.05).

DISCUSSION AND CONCLUSION

Recognizing the risk factors for cSCC in young adults (long-term immunosuppressants, chemoradiotherapy, genetic cutaneous cancer predisposition syndromes, presence of precursor lesions) bear great importance in providing appropriate guidance to ensure early diagnosis and effective treatment.