Prospective study of definitive chemoradiation in locally or regionally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the skin

Background. The purpose of this study was to present our evaluation of the outcomes of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CRT) in patients with locally advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Methods. This was a prospective phase II study. The primary endpoint was complete response (CR). Patients with locally/regionally advanced cutaneous SCC deemed unsuitable for surgery received definitive radiotherapy (RT; 70 Gy in 35fractions) and concurrent weekly platinumbased chemotherapy (cisplatin 40 mg/m2 or carboplatin area under the curve 2). Results. Twenty-one patients were enrolled in this study. Eighteen patients had a locally advanced primary or nodal disease in the head and neck region with 66% having stage IV nonmetastatic disease. Of 19 evaluable patients, 10 achieved a CR to definitive CRT with 2 further patients rendered disease-free by salvage surgery for an overall CR of 63%. Conclusion. This is the only prospective series of CRT for cutaneous SCC. A high CR rate was documented in patients with locoregional advanced disease who were unable to undergo surgery. (C) 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.