Topical treatment options for field cancerization

Toni Burbidge

Authors

Toni Burbidge, MD

Abstract

Field cancerization (FC) was first described by Slaughter et al in 1953. In that study, pathologic atypia was noted in normal appearing epithelial tissue adjacent to oropharyngeal carcinomas. Multiple new primary tumors were found to subsequently arise within this field.

Later research defined FC at the cellular level as the growth of a mutant clone that creates a field of cells predisposed to subsequent tumor growth. Cutaneous field cancerization occurs in areas exposed to chronic ultraviolet radiation (UVR), which leads to fields of clonal proliferations of p53-mutated keratinocytes and is characterized by multifocal actinic keratoses (AK), squamous cell carcinomas in situ (SCCis), and cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (CSCC). Risk factors for FC are similar to the risk factors for AKs and CSCC, including exposure to UVR, light skin, increasing age, male sex, and immunosuppression. Cutaneous FC is located on areas of the body that receive extensive sun exposure, including the face, balding scalp, forearms, and dorsal hands.

Author Biography

Toni Burbidge, MD

Dr. Toni Burbidge is a is a dermatologist based in Calgary, Alberta where she practices medical and surgical dermatology. She is dual board-certified in both Canada and the United States. She completed her medical degree at the University of Toronto, and dermatology residency at the University of Calgary. She has a special interest in cutaneous oncology and is involved in melanoma research with the multi-disciplinary cutaneous oncology team at the Tom Baker Cancer Centre in Calgary. She also teaches medical residents and other learners in her affiliation with the University of Calgary as a clinical lecturer.

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