Non-initiation of adjuvant therapy in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Cohort studyThe British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery· Jun 2026

Non-initiation of adjuvant therapy in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Daniel P Caruso, Rui P Fernandes

Read paper

Skin Cancer & MelanomaCohort studyClinical practiceQ1IF 1.4

Nearly half of patients recommended adjuvant therapy after cSCC surgery never started it

Non-initiation of adjuvant therapy in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Daniel P Caruso, Rui P Fernandes

The British journal of oral & maxillofacial surgery · Jun 2026

Methods

We conducted a retrospective cohort study of consecutive adults with American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 8th edition stage III-IV head and neck cSCC undergoing curative-intent resection between January 2012 and August 2024.

n = 53 patients

Results

nearly half never started treatment their surgeon recommended

Never initiated treatm

48%

Completed among initia

93%

More results

Of 53 patients, 27 (51%) were recommended for adjuvant therapy.

In contrast, 13/14 patients who initiated therapy (93%) completed the prescribed course.

Treatment attrition occurred primarily during the postoperative transition rather than during the delivery of the therapy.

“

Conclusion

These findings suggest that perioperative attrition may influence the real-world effectiveness of adjuvant strategies and support the evaluation of neoadjuvant approaches.

Non-initiation of adjuvant therapy in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Non-initiation of adjuvant therapy in advanced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Related papers