ASCO 2024: Learning About the Impact of Socioeconomic Factors on Superficial Basal Cell Carcinoma

By: Victoria Kuhr, MS
Posted: Thursday, June 20, 2024

Alexander Thompson, MD, of the University of Arizona College of Medicine Phoenix, and colleagues believe a recent National Cancer Database (NCDB) analysis may help to address the knowledge gap in multifocal superficial basal cell carcinoma about survival and socioeconomic data. Additionally, they found that most patients diagnosed with multifocal superficial basal cell carcinoma are White females with neoplasm of the vulva, which differs from previous reporting of the chest and shoulders as the most common site of this type of skin cancer. These findings were presented at the 2024 American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) Annual Meeting (Abstract e21576).

This retrospective cohort analysis included panelists in the NCDB who were diagnosed with multifocal superficial basal cell carcinoma between 2004 and 2020. The following factors were recorded and analyzed: age, sex, race, Hispanic ethnicity, insurance status, facility type, and diagnostic trends of this type of skin cancer.

A total of 51 patients were identified and included in the analysis. The frequency of diagnosis remained relatively constant, with a rate of –0.14. The average age at diagnosis was 73.4 years. Of the 51 patients, the majority were female (96%) and White (94%). The primary site of the neoplasm was the vulva in 100% of females and the scrotum in 100% of males.

A total of 50 patients underwent surgical excision at the primary site of the neoplasm, with a majority (86%) having successful excision with no residual tumor. Based on the data collected, 100% of patients were alive 30 and 90 days after surgery. The 2-, 5-, and 10-year estimated survival rates were 94%, 87%, and 57%, respectively. The average survival duration of survival after surgery was 11.2 years. The patient’s primary payer at diagnosis was Medicare (73%). The most common treatment facilities for patients were comprehensive community cancer programs (45%).

Disclosure: Dr. Thompson reported no conflicts of interest. For full disclosures of the other study authors, visit coi.asco.org.

2024 ASCO Annual Meeting