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Review
. 2019 May 18;5(4):235-245.
doi: 10.1016/j.ijwd.2019.05.005. eCollection 2019 Sep.

Management of keratinocyte carcinoma - Special considerations in the elderly

Alison Bailey  1 , Brooke Vasicek  2 , Joy Tao  1 , Monica Janeczek  1 , Andia Mitri  1 , Rebecca Tung  1
Affiliations
Review

Management of keratinocyte carcinoma - Special considerations in the elderly

Alison Bailey et al. Int J Womens Dermatol. .

Abstract

Keratinocyte carcinomas (KCs) are now an epidemic in The United States of America, especially in elderly patients. KCs, including basal cell carcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma, can lead to disfigurement and occasionally death. However, the lower mortality rate associated with KC compared with melanoma allows for increased flexibility in the selection of treatment. Flexibility in treatment is particularly important in the elderly given that this patient population often has medical comorbidities that should be considered. These patients may have multiple KCs, higher risk tolerance to recurrence, and different concerns about cosmetic outcomes compared with their younger counterparts. We review treatment options for KCs and how the selection of each option may affect the elderly patient.

Keywords: Keratinocyte carcinoma; basal cell carcinoma; elderly; nonmelanoma skin cancer; squamous cell carcinoma.

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Figures

Fig. 1
Fig. 1
An 86-year-old woman with (A) poorly defined squamous cell carcinoma of the left medial cheek and (B) basal cell carcinoma of the right chin treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (C, D) and primary reconstruction (E, F). Two months postoperatively, the patient had an excellent cosmetic outcome (G, H).
Fig. 2
Fig. 2
An 89-year-old woman with squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the left (A) and right (B) wrist treated with electrodessication and curettage and at follow-up 1 month after treatment (C, D).
Fig. 3
Fig. 3
A 92-year-old woman with a nodular and infiltrative basal cell carcinoma of the right ala (A) treated with double freeze-thaw cryotherapy and at follow-up 7 weeks later (B).
Fig. 4
Fig. 4
A 91-year-old woman with a squamous cell carcinoma in situ of the frontal scalp (A) treated with double freeze-thaw cryotherapy and at follow-up 4 weeks later (B).
Fig. 5
Fig. 5
A 90-year-old woman with a basal cell carcinoma of the right ala (A) and left forehead (B) treated with high-dose-rate brachytherapy at completion of therapy (C) and at 5-month follow-up (D).
See this image and copyright information in PMC

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