management
Last reviewed 01/2018
If the tumour is localised and well differentiated, e.g. producing keratin pearls, then there is an approximate 90% cure rate via excisional surgery. There is also an excellent prognosis for treatment of these lesions with radiotherapy.
Large, poorly differentiated lesions have a greater tendency to infiltrate extensively and to cause vascular invasion. Treatment of these lesions may be surgical removal of the primary lesion, or surgery combined with radiotherapy, or radiotherapy as the only treatment method.
Cytotoxic chemotherapy may be used for disseminated disease.
These patients are usually reviewed annually for about 5 years after successful management.
urgent referral for suspected skin cancer
factors associated with higher risk of reccurrence or metastasis