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Surgery in the Era of Immunotherapy for Advanced Head and Neck Non-melanoma Skin Cancer

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Abstract

Purpose of Review

Surgery remains the mainstay of treatment for non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). Immunotherapy (IO) has emerged as an alternative option. This review provides a contemporary summary of how to incorporate IO into the management of advanced NMSC. Evidence-based outcomes and recent clinical trials are provided with emphasis on the three most common NMSC diagnoses: cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and merkel cell carcinoma (MCC).

Recent Findings

Surgical resection while preserving form and function remains the standard of care for the majority of NMSCs. In recalcitrant cases failing traditional surgery and/or primary radiation, patient ineligible for such treatments, or unresectable disease, IO has emerged as a promising alternative. In the majority of cases, it is a supplanting primary chemotherapy.

Summary

Surgery remains the standard of care for NMSC. Immunotherapy has emerged as an alternative option for non-surgical candidates and as a neoadjuvant means to minimize morbidity.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kaiser Permanente School of Medicine, Pasadena, CA, USA

    Alice Lin

  2. Department of Surgical Oncology, Fox Chase Cancer Center, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Cecelia E. Schmalbach

  3. Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Lewis Katz School of Medicine at Temple University, Philadelphia, PA, USA

    Cecelia E. Schmalbach

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  1. Alice Lin
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Correspondence to Cecelia E. Schmalbach.

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Lin, A., Schmalbach, C.E. Surgery in the Era of Immunotherapy for Advanced Head and Neck Non-melanoma Skin Cancer. Curr Oncol Rep 25, 735–742 (2023). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11912-023-01391-8

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