Why Coordinated Care Is Critical in Advanced CSCC

Multidisciplinary care is a cornerstone of modern management for high- and very-high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC), reflecting the disease’s complexity and the expanding range of treatment options. According to Vishal Anil Patel, MD, of the George Washington Cancer Center, optimal outcomes depend on coordinated input from dermatology, surgical oncology, radiation oncology, and medical oncology.

CSCC is no longer a “siloed” disease managed by a single specialty. Instead, treatment decisions increasingly require collaboration across disciplines to evaluate surgical feasibility, the role of radiation, and the potential integration of systemic therapies such as immunotherapy. This is especially critical for patients with aggressive tumors, where timing and sequencing of therapies can significantly affect both survival and quality of life.

However, implementing multidisciplinary care in practice presents real-world challenges. Logistical barriers—including coordinating across departments, geographic separation of specialists, and limited access in smaller or community-based settings—can delay care or limit collaboration. For rapidly progressing tumors, delays in consultation can be particularly problematic.

To address these challenges, Patel highlights several practical solutions. Dedicated tumor boards focused on skin cancer can facilitate structured, case-based discussions, though these may not be feasible in all settings. As an alternative, virtual tumor boards, informal case discussions, and real-time communication among providers—such as through messaging platforms or direct outreach—can help bridge gaps, particularly for community clinicians seeking specialist input.

Even in smaller practices, establishing referral pathways and maintaining open lines of communication with specialists can improve coordination. Whether through formal or informal mechanisms, multidisciplinary dialogue enables clinicians to align on individualized treatment strategies and ensure patients receive the most appropriate, up-to-date care.

Ultimately, Patel emphasizes that prioritizing collaboration—despite logistical hurdles—leads to better-informed decisions and improved outcomes, reinforcing multidisciplinary care as an essential component of high-quality CSCC management.