WP3.2 - Craniectomy With Soft Tissue Reconstruction for Locally Advanced Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer of Scalp with Calvarial Invasion: the Nottingham experience

Abstract Introduction Locally advanced non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) involving the periosteum or calvarium remain clinically challenging for patients unfit for immunotherapy due to medical comorbidities and/or frailty. This case series aims to explore outcomes for patients that underwent craniectomy and soft tissue reconstruction. Method Patients underwent craniectomy and soft tissue reconstruction for invasive NMSC with calvarium or periosteal invasion from 2016 to 2022 were included. Data including demographics, operative details, and clinical outcomes were sourced from Nottingham University Hospitals digital health record and the histopathology electronic database. Result 8 patients (Age: 78.4, 3F 5M) with significant comorbidities and varying degrees of periosteal or bone invasion fulfilled the inclusion criteria. These included four squamous cell carcinoma, two basal cell carcinoma and two pleomorphic dermal sarcomas. Five patients had a history of prior incomplete deep margin excision. The median soft tissue defect, tumour and bone defect size was 51.83cm2, 34.63cm2 and 42.25cm2 respectively. Intraoperative complications included one dural tear. Four patients underwent local flap reconstruction and with split thickness skin grafting, four patients underwent free flap reconstruction. Adjuvant radiotherapy was administered to three. Complications comprised partial graft loss in two and complete graft loss in one. There was partial flap loss in one case. One patient required subsequent parotidectomy due to regional progression before achieving disease control. All patients achieved lasting locoregional disease control (average follow up 29.7 months). Conclusion Craniectomy with soft tissue reconstruction is a safe and effective treatment option in advanced NMSC of the scalp in patients unsuitable for immunotherapy due to frailty or medical co-morbidity.