Abstract
Background: Merkel cell carcinoma (MCC) is often treated with surgery and postoperative radiation therapy (PORT). The optimal time to initiate PORT (Time-to-PORT [ttPORT]) is unknown. Purpose: We assessed if delays in ttPORT were associated with inferior outcomes. Methods: Competing risk regression was used to evaluate associations between ttPORT and locoregional recurrence (LRR) for patients with stage I/II MCC in a prospective registry and adjust for covariates. Distant metastasis and death were competing risks. Results: The cohort included 124 patients with median ttPORT of 41 days (range: 8-125 days). Median follow-up was 55 months. 17 (14%) patients experienced a LRR, 14 (82%) of which arose outside the radiation field. LRR at 5 years was increased for ttPORT >8 weeks vs ≤ 8 weeks, 28.0% vs 9.2%, P = .006. There was an increase in the cumulative incidence of MCC-specific death with increasing ttPORT (HR = 1.14 per 1-week increase, P = .016). Limitations: The relatively low number of LRRs limited the extent of our multivariable analyses. Conclusions: Delay of PORT was associated with increased LRR, usually beyond the radiation field. This is consistent with the tendency of MCC to spread quickly via lymphatics. Initiation of PORT within 8 weeks was associated with improved locoregional control and MCC-specific survival.
Original language | English (US) |
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Pages (from-to) | 261-268 |
Number of pages | 8 |
Journal | Journal of the American Academy of Dermatology |
Volume | 90 |
Issue number | 2 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - Feb 2024 |
Externally published | Yes |
Keywords
- adjuvant
- carcinoma
- dermatologic surgical procedures
- Merkel Cell
- patient outcome assessment
- radiotherapy
- sentinel lymph node biopsy
- skin neoplasms
- wound healing
ASJC Scopus subject areas
- Dermatology