Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common form of human cancer and has an increasing annual incidence. Although most cSCC is cured with office-based therapy, advanced cSCC poses a significant risk for morbidity, impact on quality of life, and death. This document provides evidence-based recommendations for the management of patients with cSCC. Topics addressed include biopsy techniques and histopathologic assessment, tumor staging, surgical and nonsurgical management, follow-up and prevention of recurrence, and management of advanced disease. The primary focus of these recommendations is on evaluation and management of primary cSCC and localized disease, but where relevant, applicability to recurrent cSCC is noted, as is general information on the management of patients with metastatic disease.
Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common form of human cancer, with a continually increasing annual incidence in the United States. When diagnosed early, the majority of BCCs are readily treated with office-based therapy, which is highly curative. In these evidence-based guidelines of care, we provide recommendations for the management of patients with BCC, as well as an in-depth review of the best available literature in support of these recommendations. We discuss biopsy techniques for a clinically suspicious lesion and offer recommendations for the histopathologic interpretation of BCC. In the absence of a formal staging system, the best available stratification based on risk for recurrence is reviewed. With regard to treatment, we provide recommendations on treatment modalities along a broad therapeutic spectrum, ranging from topical agents and superficially destructive modalities to surgical techniques and systemic therapy. Finally, we review the available literature and provide recommendations on prevention and the most appropriate follow-up for patients in whom BCC has been diagnosed. ( J Am Acad Dermatol
Specialized palliative care teams improve outcomes for the steadily growing population of people living with serious illness. However, few studies have examined whether the specialty palliative care workforce can meet the growing demand for its services. We used 2018 clinician survey data to model risk factors associated with palliative care clinicians leaving the field early, and we then projected physician numbers from 2019 to 2059 under four scenarios. Our modeling revealed an impending "workforce valley," with declining physician numbers that will not recover to the current level until 2045, absent policy change. However, sustained growth in the number of fellowship positions over ten years could reverse the worsening workforce shortage. There is an immediate need for policies that support high-value, team-based palliative care through expansion in all segments of the specialty palliative care workforce, combined with payment reform to encourage the deployment of sustainable teams.
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