Epidermolysis bullosa with squamous cell carcinoma

Management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in patients with epidermolysis bullosa: best clinical practice guidelines

This article summarizes recommendations reached following a systematic literature review and expert consensus on the diagnosis and management of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas in people with epidermolysis bullosa. The guidelines are intended to help inform decision making by clinicians dealing with this complex complication of a devastating disease.

Extracutaneous manifestations and complications of inherited epidermolysis bullosa: part II. Other organs

It is well known, primarily via case reports and limited case series, that nonepithelial tissues may become injured in patients with epidermolysis bullosa. Only recently, however, have there been data generated from large, well characterized cohorts. Our objective is to provide dermatologists with a comprehensive review of each of these major extracutaneous complications, with a summary of the pertinent literature and evidence-based recommendations for surveillance, evaluation, and management. Some epidermolysis bullosa subtypes are at risk for severe injury of the bone marrow, musculoskeletal system, heart, kidney, and teeth, and for the development of squamous cell carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma, or malignant melanoma. If untreated, significant morbidity or mortality may result.

Epidermolysis bullosa and the risk of life-threatening cancers: the National EB Registry experience, 1986-2006

BACKGROUND

Case series have demonstrated that potentially lethal cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas arise in patients with recessive dystrophic epidermolysis bullosa (RDEB), although the magnitude of this risk is undefined.

METHODS

Systematic case finding and data collection were performed throughout the continental United States (1986-2002) by the National EB Registry on 3280 EB patients to determine cumulative and conditional risks for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), basal cell carcinoma (BCC), and malignant melanoma (MM) within each major EB subtype, as well as the cumulative risk of death from each tumor. Study design was cross-sectional, with a nested randomly sampled longitudinal subcohort (N = 450).

RESULTS

SCCs arose primarily in RDEB, especially the Hallopeau-Siemens subtype (RDEB-HS), first beginning in adolescence. Less frequently, SCCs occurred in junctional EB (JEB). Cumulative risks rose steeply in RDEB-HS, from 7.5% by age 20 to 67.8%, 80.2%, and 90.1% by ages 35, 45, and 55, respectively. In Herlitz JEB, the risk was 18.2% by age 25. SCC deaths occurred only in RDEB, with cumulative risks in RDEB-HS of 38.7%, 70.0%, and 78.7% by ages 35, 45, and 55, respectively. MM arose in RDEB-HS, with a cumulative risk of 2.5% by age 12. BCCs arose almost exclusively in the most severe EB simplex subtype (Dowling-Meara) (cumulative risk = 43.6% by age 55).

LIMITATIONS

Mutational analyses were performed on only a minority of enrollees in the National EB Registry, preventing evaluation of the possible influence of specific genotypes on the risk of developing or dying from cutaneous SCCs.

CONCLUSIONS

SCC is the most serious complication of EB within adults, especially those with RDEB-HS. By mid-adulthood, nearly all will have had at least one SCC, and nearly 80% will have died of metastatic SCC despite aggressive surgical resection. When compared with SCCs arising within the normal population, the remarkably high risk of occurrence of and then death from SCCs among RDEB patients suggests likely differences in pathogenesis. Additional studies of EB-derived tumors and SCC cell lines may not only provide new insights into the mechanisms of carcinogenesis but also means whereby these particular tumors may be prevented or more effectively treated.

Increased risk of squamous cell carcinoma in junctional epidermolysis bullosa

Non-Herlitz junctional epidermolysis bullosa (JEB) is an autosomal recessive genodermatosis characterized by skin fragility and blistering. It is usually caused by mutations in the genes encoding the basement membrane proteins laminin 5 or type XVII collagen. Clinically, impaired wound healing and chronic erosions cause major morbidity in affected patients. Previously it was thought that these individuals, unlike patients with dystrophic EB, did not have an increased risk of developing skin cancer. However, we describe three patients with non-Herlitz JEB (aged 42, 56 and 75 years) who developed cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs). The tumours were well-differentiated in two cases, but one patient had multiple primary SCCs that were either well- or moderately differentiated. Most cases of SCC in non-Herlitz JEB described have occurred in those with laminin 5 defects and on the lower limbs. These clinicopathological observations have important implications for the management of patients with this mechanobullous disorder as well as providing further insight into the biology of skin cancer associated with chronic inflammation and scarring.

Epidermolysis bullosa and cancer

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) encompasses a group of inherited blistering skin disorders classified into three main subtypes of simplex, junctional and dystrophic. In recent years there have been substantial advances in our understanding of the molecular basis of these conditions and in the management of such patients. In spite of this progress, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is still a major cause of morbidity and mortality, particularly in Hallopeau--Siemens recessive dystrophic EB. The reason why dystrophic EB patients readily develop SCC with such a poor prognosis remains a mystery. This article reviews the epidemiology of cancer in inherited EB and also discusses the clinical features, histological assessment and treatment options of SCC in EB.

Epidermolysis bullosa complicated by squamous cell carcinoma: report of 10 cases

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) refers to a group of hereditary mechano-bullous conditions, many of which are associated with chronic scarring. Several forms of the disease have been reported in association with cutaneous malignancy. We present a series of 10 EB patients (eight generalised recessive dystrophic EB, one dominant dystrophic EB, one non-lethal junctional EB) aged 24-55 years with a total of 29 squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Three patients died from metastatic disease associated with invasive, poorly differentiated SCC. Six cases had multiple primary SCC, including three patients with simultaneous multifocal disease. Twenty-eight of the 29 SCC arose on the limbs. Histology revealed that most of the SCC were well or moderately differentiated (22/29). Unusual histological findings included two verrucous SCC, as well as a spindle cell (angiosarcoma-like) SCC. Most of the SCC developed in areas of chronic non-healing ulceration (10/29) or longstanding hyperkeratotic crusting (14/29). The dermis around or beneath the carcinomas was densely scarred, more so than in non-malignant areas. In some cases it was difficult to distinguish the clinical appearances of certain areas of chronic ulceration, scarring, and crusting typical of dystrophic EB from many of the SCC. This study underlines the need for constant vigilance for the development of carcinomas in this group of patients, the occasional diagnostic difficulty, and the potential for metastasis.

Squamous cell carcinoma developing in epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica

Two patients with epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica recessiva who had squamous cell carcinoma are presented. Case 1 is a 40-year-old woman who had ulcers on her left lower leg. Case 2 is a 42-year-old man who had a tumor on his left first toe. Wide surgical excision with skin coverage by autograft was performed in case 1. Amputation of the toe in case 2 was performed. A review of the cases of epidermolysis bullosa dystrophica associated with cancer reported in Japan is also presented.