Solid organ transplantation worsens the prognosis of patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region-Comparison between solid organ transplant recipients and immunocompetent patients

Background Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (CSCC-HN) appears to behave more aggressively in immunosuppressed patients. We aimed to investigate this hypothesis by comparing solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) with CSCC-HN to immunocompetent patients. Methods A retrospective comparative study was conducted for SOTR and immunocompetent patients who were treated for CSCC-HN. Results A total of 177 SOTR and 157 immunocompetent patients with CSCC-HN were included. Lymph node metastases were more common in the SOTR group (9% vs 3%), and distant metastases occurred only in SOTR (3% of patients). SOTR had a higher rate of recurrences (19% vs 10%), which were mostly regional (7%) and distant (3%). The 2-year disease-specific survival of SOTR was lower (93% vs 100%). Conclusions SOTR with CSCC-HN has significantly worse outcomes compared to immunocompetent patients. Solid-organ transplantation should be regarded as a negative prognostic factor in patients with CSCC-HN.

Automated summary

Solid organ transplant recipients with CSCC-HN exhibit more aggressive behavior and worse outcomes compared to immunocompetent patients, with higher rates of lymph node and distant metastases, higher recurrence rates, and lower disease-specific survival. Solid-organ transplantation should be considered as a negative prognostic factor for patients with CSCC-HN.