Neoadjuvant Approaches to Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer

Abstract

Surgery and external-beam radiation therapy are the primary treatment modalities for locally advanced NMSC, but they can lead to impairment of function and disfigurement in sensitive areas such as the head and neck. With the advent of targeted systemic therapies and immunotherapy, physicians have explored the ability to offer neoadjuvant therapy for NMSC in order to reduce surgically induced morbidity. Provided herein is a guide to current applications of neoadjuvant systemic therapies for NMSC and future directions.

Keywords

• neoadjuvant therapy
• basal cell carcinoma
• cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma
• Merkel cell carcinoma
• non-melanomatous skin cancer