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Subset of patients less likely to develop subsequent keratinocyte carcinoma

The risk for subsequent keratinocyte carcinoma was significantly lower in a subset of patients after their first lifetime tumor diagnosis compared with nonfirst lifetime tumor diagnosis, according to recent study results.

Researchers included 1,426 patients with biopsy-proven keratinocyte carcinomas (KCs) in a university dermatology practice and affiliated Department of Veterans Affairs dermatology service between 1999 and 2000. Among these patients, 1,284 patients (90%) were followed-up prospectively for a mean of 5.7 years following exclusion for basal cell nevus syndrome and immunocompromise. KC included basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC).

Single-failure and multiple-failure models were used to measure risk for subsequent KCs, with separate assessments after first lifetime KCs and nonfirst lifetime KCs. Secondary analyses of subsequent BCC risk after a prior BCC diagnosis and subsequent SCC risk after a prior SCC diagnosis were also performed.

There was substantially lower risk for subsequent KC after the first lifetime KC diagnosis when compared with a nonfirst KC diagnosis, with a 14.5% risk vs. a 43.9% risk at 1 year, a 31.1% risk vs. a 71.1% risk at 3 years and a 40.7% risk vs. an 82.0% risk at 5 years, respectively.

Risks for subsequent BCC and SCC after prior BCC and SCC diagnoses were consistent with the pooled analyses results for KC, according to the researchers.

Disclosure: Wehner has no relevant financial disclosures. Please see the full study for a list of all other authors’ relevant financial disclosures.