Dr. Meakin Presents Case of High Risk Squamous Cell Cancer of the Face

Written By: Dr. Chuck Meakin

On Wednesday, November 5th Dr. Charles Meakin of SERO presented at the CaroMont Hospital Cancer Center Weekly tumor board a case of high risk squamous cell cancer of the face. The original lesion was excised via Mohs surgical technique from the right pre-auricular facial region and had negative margins but was grade 3 histology and had invasion into some local nerves. Studies have shown that the size of the nerves invaded by the tumor are predictive of local recurrence, regional recurrence and survival from the cancer. If the nerves involved by the cancer are greater than 1 mm in diameter, and no adjuvant or postop radiation is used, the risk of death can be greater than 30% from the skin cancer. Postoperative radiation to the surgical site and nearby lymph node bed in front of the ear and over the parotid gland was recommended. The NCCN guidelines were reviewed as always which supported the recommendations.