Melanoma survivors at increased risk for second primary BCC and SCC: Study
China: Findings from a recent study published in the International Journal of Dermatology, have suggested that melanoma survivors are at increased risk for second primary basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This indicates the significance of monitoring for second primary keratinocyte carcinoma and efforts for prevention in patients with melanoma history.
Recent large cohorts have demonstrated that melanoma survivors are at risk for the development of second KC. However, nothing is known about detailed proportion and risk. Guangtong Deng, Department of Oncology, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Changsha, China, and colleagues aimed to comprehensively analyze the risk of developing keratinocyte carcinoma after primary melanoma.
For this purpose, the researcher conducted systematic literature research in online databases published prior to September 13, 2021. The risk was assessed using proportion and standardized incidence ratios (SIR). The analysis included a total of 15 studies encompassing 168,286 patients.
The study revealed the following findings:
- The pooled proportions of melanoma survivors that developed a subsequent basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and KC were 4.11%, 2.54%, and 5.45% respectively.
- The risks of developing a second BCC, SCC, and KC in melanoma survivors were 5.3-fold (SIR 5.30), 2.6-fold (SIR 2.58), and 6.2-fold (SIR 6.17) increased in comparison with the general population.
- Both fixed effects and random effects models were applied in conducting meta-analysis and reached a consistent conclusion.
"Our findings indicated melanoma survivors are at elevated risk of experiencing second primary BCC and SCC," the authors wrote in their study.
"In melanoma survivors, routine full-body skin examinations and continued vigilant surveillance for not only recurrent and subsequent primary melanoma but also non-melanoma skin cancers are important due to the increased risk of these conditions."
Reference:
Sun H, Li Y, Zeng F, Meng Y, Du S, Deng G. Melanoma survivors are at increased risk for second primary keratinocyte carcinoma. Int J Dermatol. 2022 Jun 21. doi: 10.1111/ijd.16309. Epub ahead of print. PMID: 35726477.
