Lethal Dermal Sarcoma in Immunosuppressed Patients
Year: 2022
Type: article
Study design: Case Report
Abstract: Skin cancer is the leading malignancy in immunosuppressed patients, including organ transplant recipients (OTRs), which is increasing in incidence as OTRs live longer. We performed a single-center case series of 4 patients with scalp pleomorphic dermal sarcoma and a history of multiple keratinocyte carcinomas. Outcomes included incidence of dermal sarcoma, dermal sarcoma-related mortality, and histopathologic findings. Out of more than 200 patients followed over a 3-year period in Massachusetts General Hospital High Risk Skin Cancer Clinics, all skin cancer-related deaths (2/2) were due to metastatic dermal sarcoma. Three of 4 patients diagnosed with scalp dermal sarcoma were OTRs and had been on at least one immunosuppressive medication for a median of 9 years. For patients who died from dermal sarcoma, the median time between diagnosis and death was 6 months. Our findings suggest pleomorphic dermal sarcoma contributes to skin cancer-related morbidity and mortality in OTRs.
Source: The Oncologist
Institutions: Harvard University, Massachusetts General Hospital
Language: English
Subfield: Epidemiology
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: gold
Estimated APC paid: $3,494
OpenAlex ID: W4286560333