CSCC Workup, Staging, and Prognostics

In a presentation by Dr. Vishal Patel from the George Washington University Cancer Center, he discusses the workup, staging, and prognostics of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). He emphasizes the importance of identifying patient factors that determine tumor risk profiles, including the complexities of the staging systems used in practice. Dr. Patel categorizes tumors into low, moderate, high, and very high-risk groups, focusing on recurrence rather than metastasis and death. He highlights the different staging systems, notably the AJCC and Brigham and Women's, and discusses recent refinements in risk stratifications, particularly regarding perineural invasion as a critical factor. Additionally, he notes the significance of gene expression profiling as an evolving tool in clinical decision-making, emphasizing its role in identifying high-risk cases that need further intervention. He encourages a multidisciplinary approach for managing locally advanced SCC and the necessity of communicating risk factors effectively among different oncology specialists. Dr. Patel concludes that while staging systems serve as a foundational step, understanding individual patient characteristics and applying genetic information judiciously are essential for optimizing treatment outcomes and patient care.