Nicholas Brownstone1, Justin W Marson2, Todd Schlesinger3, Darrell Rigel4. 1. Dr. Brownstone is with the National Society for Cutaneous Medicine in New York, New York. 2. Dr. Marson is with the Department of Dermatology at SUNY Downstate Health Sciences University in Brooklyn, New York. 3. Dr. Schlesinger is with the Dermatology and Laser Center of Charleston in Charleston, South Carolina. 4. Dr. Rigel is with the Department of Dermatology at Mount Sinai Icahn School of Medicine in New York, New York.
Abstract
Background: Advanced nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is a sometimes unrecognized public health burden. The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as those affecting programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), have dramatically changed the management of advanced NMSC. Dermatologists need to be knowledgeable about these therapies given their key role in diagnosing, treating, and comanaging NMSC. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge base and identify knowledge gaps that dermatologists may have regarding ICIs and assess advanced NMSC referral patterns. Methods: A 10-question survey was emailed to United States-based dermatologists in July 2021 assessing knowledge of ICI therapy and referral patterns for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (mcSCC) or locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (laBCC) management. Results: At their current knowledge level, respondents averaged 40.6 out of 100 (95% CI [35.1, 46.0]) when asked how comfortable they feel counseling a patient on the risks and benefits of an ICI. Seventy-one percent reported that having more information about treatment for mcSCC or laBCC would be helpful in their practice. Being in practice for less than 10 years was not significantly associated with desiring more information about treatment. The respondents reported that the highest number of annual average referrals out for mcSCC or laBCC were made to Mohs surgeons. Fifty-four percent of respondents received referrals for mcSCC or laBCC, and of the providers receiving referrals, 40 percent of them came from general dermatology. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that a knowledge gap exists for dermatologists in treating mcSCC and laBCC with immunotherapy. There is a need among all dermatologists, regardless of years in practice, to receive this information.
Background: Advanced nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is a sometimes unrecognized public health burden. The development of immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs), such as those affecting programmed cell death protein-1 (PD-1), have dramatically changed the management of advanced NMSC. Dermatologists need to be knowledgeable about these therapies given their key role in diagnosing, treating, and comanaging NMSC. The purpose of this study was to assess the knowledge base and identify knowledge gaps that dermatologists may have regarding ICIs and assess advanced NMSC referral patterns. Methods: A 10-question survey was emailed to United States-based dermatologists in July 2021 assessing knowledge of ICI therapy and referral patterns for metastatic cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (mcSCC) or locally advanced basal cell carcinoma (laBCC) management. Results: At their current knowledge level, respondents averaged 40.6 out of 100 (95% CI [35.1, 46.0]) when asked how comfortable they feel counseling a patient on the risks and benefits of an ICI. Seventy-one percent reported that having more information about treatment for mcSCC or laBCC would be helpful in their practice. Being in practice for less than 10 years was not significantly associated with desiring more information about treatment. The respondents reported that the highest number of annual average referrals out for mcSCC or laBCC were made to Mohs surgeons. Fifty-four percent of respondents received referrals for mcSCC or laBCC, and of the providers receiving referrals, 40 percent of them came from general dermatology. Conclusion: These results demonstrate that a knowledge gap exists for dermatologists in treating mcSCC and laBCC with immunotherapy. There is a need among all dermatologists, regardless of years in practice, to receive this information.
Authors: Amaris N Geisler; Gregory S Phillips; Dulce M Barrios; Jennifer Wu; Donald Y M Leung; Andrea P Moy; Jeffrey A Kern; Mario E Lacouture Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2020-05-23 Impact factor: 11.527
Authors: Dulce M Barrios; Mytrang H Do; Gregory S Phillips; Michael A Postow; Tomoko Akaike; Paul Nghiem; Mario E Lacouture Journal: J Am Acad Dermatol Date: 2020-05-24 Impact factor: 11.527