Impact of Gene Expression Profile Testing on the Management of Squamous Cell Carcinoma by Dermatologists

Background: The incidence of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is increasing likely due to improved detection and a growing elderly population. Although the prognosis of cSCC is excellent with complete surgical excision, many patients who go on to develop metastasis are initially classified as low-risk. The most commonly used staging systems, American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) and Brigham Women's Hospital (BWH), have low sensitivity and low positive predictive value for predicting metastasis. A gene expression profile test (cSCC-GEP) is in development to identify patients with cSCC at high risk for metastasis and death. Objective: To determine the impact of cSCC-GEP test results on management decisions made by dermatologists for cSCC patients. Design, Setting, and Participants: 402 dermatologists attending a national dermatology conference completed an online survey designed to determine the impact of cSCC-GEP test results on management decisions in a variety of clinical situations. Participants answered a series of questions related to three cSCC patient vignettes, each featuring different patient and lesion characteristics. Main Outcomes and Measures: Proportion of dermatologists who would recommend radiation, chemotherapy/immunotherapy, or sentinel lymph node biopsy (SLNBx) for each patient vignette (without cSCC-GEP results, with a lower risk result, or with a higher risk result). The effect of the test results on the follow-up intervals recommended by dermatologists was also examined. Results: In the majority of vignettes, a lower risk cSCC-GEP test result led to a statistically significant decrease in the proportion of dermatologists who would recommend radiation, chemotherapy/immunotherapy, SLNBx, or quarterly follow-up. Conversely, a higher risk cSCC-GEP result significantly altered management toward increased intensity (more recommendations for radiation, chemotherapy/ immunotherapy, SLNBx, or quarterly follow-up) in all vignettes. Conclusions and Relevance: The results of a cSCC-GEP test appear to significantly impact decisions made by dermatologists regarding subsequent management, SLNBx, and follow-up intervals for patients with cSCC.