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The following is a summary of “Perineural invasion for risk stratification in cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: a scoping review,” published in the November 2024 issue of Dermatology by Crüts et al. 

Microscopic perineural invasion (mPNI) is a histopathological feature of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), and its role in staging cSCC beyond the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC’s) 8th edition criteria remains unclear.  

Researchers conducted a retrospective study to summarize evidence on the independent association between various mPNI features and the risk of recurrence, metastasis, and disease-specific death in patients with cSCC.  

They searched Embase, PubMed, and Web of Science from January 2023 to February 2024 for studies of individuals aged 18 years or older reporting the prognostic impact of mPNI features in with histopathologically confirmed cSCC. Data on the study and tumor characteristics were extracted for analysis.  

The results showed that 19 studies met the inclusion criteria, evaluating various mPNI features in cSCC, such as nerve diameter, extent of mPNI, number of affected nerves, and depth of mPNI,  2 studies found that “mPNI ≥0.1mm” and “mPNI deeper than the dermis” were significantly and independently linked with a poor prognosis after adjusting for other mPNI features and high-risk factors. Additionally, 1 of the studies identified “involvement of ≥3 nerves” as an independent significant predictor of higher local recurrence risk [HR], 2.17; 95% [CI], 1.03-4.56; P =0.04).  

Investigators concluded the nerve diameter, depth of motor point nerve involvement, and involvement of multiple nerves were independent risk factors associated with poor prognosis in patients with motor point nerve injury. 

Source: karger.com/drm/article/doi/10.1159/000542772/916710/Perineural-invasion-for-risk-stratification-in