Skin Cancers of the Head and Neck

A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Therapy".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: 15 September 2025 | Viewed by 2594

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Department of Otolaryngology/HNS, LSU Health Sciences Center, Shreveport & Head and Neck Surgical Oncology Feist-Weiller Cancer Center, 1501 Kings Highway, Shreveport, LA 71130, USA
Interests: molecular surgical margins; targeted therapy, Akt/mTOR inhibitors; head and neck cancer
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

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Guest Editor
Department of Otolaryngology/Head and Neck Surgery, Medical University of South Carolina, 135 Rutledge Avenue, MSC550, Charleston, SC 29425, USA
Interests: otolaryngology
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Skin malignancies are the most common cancers in the United States and account for more than half of all new cancer cases diagnosed each year. These skin malignancies are most often the result of ultraviolet radiation (UVR) caused by exposure to the sun or tanning beds. Unfortunately, the region of the head and neck is the area of the body most at risk for skin cancer due to sunlight exposure.

The most common type of skin cancer is non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), primarily basal cell carcinoma (BCC), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Although melanoma is less common than NMSC, it is far more dangerous with high risk of metastasis and high mortality rates. Early recognition is crucial to ensure that patients receive the most effective treatment.

Treatment depends on the size, location, type and stage of cancer. Primary treatment generally consists of the surgical removal of the cancer, usually via Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). However, more advanced cases require a multimodal approach. This Special Issue will highlight advancements in genomic profiling, lymph node management, and immunotherapy for improving the treatment of skin cancers of the head and neck.

Prof. Dr. Cherie-Ann Nathan
Prof. Dr. Shaun A. Nguyen
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC)
  • squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)
  • basal cell carcinoma (BCC)
  • melanoma
  • genomic profiling
  • immunotherapy

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Published Papers (2 papers)

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Review

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13 pages, 283 KiB  
Review
The Role of Gene Expression Profiling in the Management of Cutaneous Squamous Cell Cancer: A Review
by Ryan A. Durgham, Joel Badders, Shaun A. Nguyen, Lindsay Olinde, John Pang and Cherie-Ann O. Nathan
Cancers 2024, 16(23), 3925; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16233925 - 23 Nov 2024
Viewed by 558
Abstract
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer, with an increasing global incidence. While most cases are successfully treated with surgical excision, a subset can metastasize, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Current staging systems based on [...] Read more.
Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer, with an increasing global incidence. While most cases are successfully treated with surgical excision, a subset can metastasize, leading to significant morbidity and mortality. Current staging systems based on clinical and histopathological features have shown limitations in accurately predicting metastatic risk. This review examines the role of gene expression profiling (GEP), particularly the 40-gene expression profile (40-GEP) test, in improving risk stratification and management of cSCC. We assess the prognostic value of the 40-GEP test, its integration with current staging systems, and its impact on clinical decision-making. Recent studies suggest that incorporating GEP results with traditional staging methods can enhance the identification of high-risk patients, potentially leading to more personalized treatment strategies. The review also explores the challenges of implementing GEP in routine clinical practice, including cost-effectiveness considerations and the need for standardization. Finally, we discuss the implications for future cSCC management and highlight areas for further research. As molecular profiling techniques continue to evolve, GEP represents a promising approach to optimizing care for cSCC patients, aligning with the growing emphasis on personalized medicine in oncology. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Cancers of the Head and Neck)

Other

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15 pages, 1342 KiB  
Systematic Review
The Prognostic Value of the 31-Gene Expression Profile Test in Cutaneous Melanoma: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis
by Ryan A. Durgham, Sami I. Nassar, Ramazan Gun, Shaun A. Nguyen, Ameya A. Asarkar and Cherie-Ann O. Nathan
Cancers 2024, 16(21), 3714; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers16213714 - 4 Nov 2024
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Abstract
Background: Cutaneous melanoma is an increasingly common and potentially lethal form of skin cancer. Current staging systems based on clinical and pathological features have limitations in accurately predicting outcomes, particularly for early-stage disease. The 31-gene expression profile (31-GEP) test has emerged as a [...] Read more.
Background: Cutaneous melanoma is an increasingly common and potentially lethal form of skin cancer. Current staging systems based on clinical and pathological features have limitations in accurately predicting outcomes, particularly for early-stage disease. The 31-gene expression profile (31-GEP) test has emerged as a promising tool for improving risk stratification in melanoma patients. Methods: We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of studies evaluating the prognostic performance of the 31-GEP test in cutaneous melanoma. A comprehensive literature search was performed in multiple databases. Studies reporting survival outcomes stratified by 31-GEP class were included. Random-effects models were used to determine survival estimates across studies. Results: Thirteen studies comprising 14,760 patients were included in the meta-analysis. The 31-GEP test consistently stratified patients into risk groups with significantly different outcomes. The 5-year melanoma-specific survival rates were 99.8% (95% CI: 98–100%) for Class 1A, 97.6% (95% CI: 92.4–99.3%) for Class 1B/2A, and 83.4% (95% CI: 66.5–92.7%) for Class 2B. Similar trends were observed for recurrence-free and distant metastasis-free survival. Conclusions: This meta-analysis supports the prognostic utility of the 31-GEP test in cutaneous melanoma prognostication. The test consistently stratified patients into clinically meaningful risk groups across multiple survival metrics. These findings support the potential clinical utility of the 31-GEP test in enhancing current staging systems and informing personalized management strategies for melanoma patients. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Skin Cancers of the Head and Neck)
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