Nonmelanoma cutaneous malignancy with regional metastasis.

Abstract Objective and study design We performed a retrospective study of 28 patients to evaluate the management and outcome of regional metastasis from nonmelanoma cutaneous malignancies. Results There were 25 squamous cell, 1 basal cell, and 2 eccrine carcinomas. The most common primary locations were the temple, ear, and cheek. Median interval from primary resection to regional metastasis was 9 months, and such were commonly of the parotid, level IB, and level IIA nodes. Twenty-four patients underwent parotidectomy and/or neck dissection; 19 patients, postoperative radiation. Ten patients (36%) died from the disease, 2 patients (7%) have persisting disease, 5 (18%) have died from intercurrent disease, and 11 (39%) have no evidence of disease (minimum follow-up, 22 months; median, 34 months). Conclusions and significance Nonmelanoma cutaneous malignancies with regional metastasis have a poor prognosis despite aggressive therapy. When high-risk characteristics are detected, examination of the nearest “sentinel node,” prophylactic lymphadenectomy, and/or regional irradiation might be justified; further study is warranted.