Advancing Cancer Research: Current Knowledge on Cutaneous Neoplasia

Abstract

Skin cancers require a multidisciplinary approach. The updated guidelines introduce new insights into the management of these diseases. Melanoma (MM), the third most common skin cancer, a malignant melanocytic tumor, which is classified into four major histological subtypes, continues to have the potential to be a lethal disease. The mortality–incidence ratio is higher in Eastern European countries compared to Western European countries, which shows the need for better prevention and early detection in Eastern European countries. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) remain the top two skin cancers, and their incidence continues to grow. The gold standard in establishing the diagnosis and establishing the histopathological subtype in BCC and SCC is a skin biopsy. Sebaceous carcinoma (SeC) is an uncommon and potentially aggressive cutaneous malignancy showing sebaceous differentiation. It accounts for 0.7% of skin cancers and 3–6.7% of cancer-related deaths. Due to the rapid extension to the regional lymph nodes, SeC requires early treatment. The main treatment for sebaceous carcinoma is surgical treatment, including Mohs micrographic surgery, which has the advantage of complete margin evaluation and low recurrence rates. Primary cutaneous lymphomas (PCLs) are a heterogeneous group of lymphoproliferative diseases, with no evidence of extracutaneous determination at the moment of the diagnosis. PCLs have usually a very different evolution, prognosis, and treatment compared to the lymphomas that may secondarily involve the skin. The aim of our review is to summarize the important changes in the approach to treating melanoma, non-melanoma skin, cutaneous T and B cell lymphomas, and other types of skin cancers. For all skin cancers, optimal patient management requires a multidisciplinary approach including dermatology, medical oncology, and radiation oncology.