The role of radiotherapy in the management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a retrospective study on 92 cases

BACKGROUND: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common nonmelanoma skin cancer in the world after basal cell carcinoma. Treatment of choice for cSCC is surgery, but radiotherapy (RT) is a valid alternative and has been recommended in selected cases. The aim was to evaluate the cure rate of RT for cSCC and to compare the results in the two settings of RT as exclusive or second line treatment.METHODS: The outcome of 92 cSCC treated with RT in the period from 2002 to 2019 in our department was retrospectively reviewed. RESULTS: In 56 cases RT was first-line treatment while in 36 it was administered as second-line treatment after incomplete excision or failure of previous treatments. The five-year cure-rate was 74% (71.34% in patients treated with primary RT and 77.37% in patients treated with RT as second-line treatment), while the ten-year cure-rate was 67% (57.07% and 77.37% respectively in patients treated with primary RT or with second line RT). Log rank test showed statistical significance between the cure-rate of the two groups with better therapeutic results after second -line RT (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our data confirm RT as an effective therapy for cSCC when surgery excision is contraindicated or in case of tumors localized in certain regions where the cosmetic-functional outcome is better than surgery. Better therapeutic results are achieved with second-line RT.