Management of Cutaneous Head and Neck Squamous and Basal Cell Carcinomas for Immunocompromised Patients

SIMPLE SUMMARY: Non-melanoma skin cancer affects a significant portion of the population in the United States, with over one million cases diagnosed each year. Skin cancers in the head and neck are considered high risk for locoregional spread and recurrence, requiring close monitoring and multidisciplinary management by head and neck surgeons, oncologists, radiation oncologists, and many others. In this study, we performed an extensive literature review to summarize current knowledge regarding the etiology, disease course, and management of head and neck skin cancers in immunocompromised patients. We draw attention to the role of newly developed immunotherapies being used in this subset of patients. ABSTRACT: The incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) continues to rise, and more than one million cases are diagnosed in the United States each year. The increase in prevalence has been attributed to increased lifespan and improvements in survival for conditions that increase the risk of these malignancies. Patients who are immunocompromised have a higher risk of developing NMSC compared to the general population. In immunosuppressed patients, a combination of prevention, frequent surveillance, and early intervention are necessary to reduce morbidity and mortality. In this review, we collate and summarize current knowledge regarding pathogenesis of head and neck cutaneous SCC and BCC within immunocompromised patients, examine the potential role of the immune response in disease progression, and detail the role of novel immunotherapies in this subset of patients.