Case report: Metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in an African American Female

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the most common skin cancer diagnosed in African Americans.¹ Twenty to forty percent of cSCCs reported in African Americans are related to chronic scarring processes or areas of in ammation.² Risk factors for developing cSCCs in patients of color include chronic scars resulting from burns, skin ulcers, and radiation sites; and chronic inflammatory diseases such as discoid lupus and hidradenitis suppuritiva.1 Although skin cancer only accounts for 1% to 2% of cancers diagnosed within African Americans, it is associated with increased morbidity and mortality in this population.^1,3 Significant delays in diagnosis and treatment are largely thought to be responsible for this prognostic incongruity. The rate of metastasis in patients of color is 31%, compared with only 4% in Caucasians.^4,5 Early recognition by physicians and increased awareness resulting in preventative measures by patients may decrease this noted disparity.