James Byunghoon Yu MD, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

Nicole Anderson, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Roy H. Decker, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Rachel C. Blitzblau MD, PhD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Douglas M. Housman MD, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Lynn D. Wilson MD, MPH, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

Sebaceous carcinoma is a rare and aggressive cutaneous tumor. Tumors are thought to predominate in the periocular region, and are thought to occur proportionally more frequently in Asian populations and in women. This is the largest report of sebaceous carcinoma in the literature.

The SEER database was investigated for records of sebaceous carcinoma from 1973-2003. A descriptive analysis was performed for age, gender, site of disease, extent of nodal exploration and involvement, surgery, radiation, extent of disease, and cause of death. Overall survival was calculated by Kaplan-Meier technique. Relative survival was calculated, relative to an age, gender, race, and year of diagnosis matched control.

1205 cases of sebaceous carcinoma were detected. There were 14 cases from non-skin sites that were excluded, for a total of 1191 cases analyzed. Median age of diagnosis was 72 (range 13-102). There was a slight male predominance (54.5%). Primary skin sites of disease from most frequent to least were; eyelid 40%, face 27%, trunk 14%, scalp and neck 7%, upper limb and shoulder 4%, external ear 3%, lower limb and hip 2%, and lip 1%. Race distribution was: White 87%, Asian/Pacific Islander 5%, Black 3%. Lymph nodes were pathologically examined in only 34 patients. 77% of patients had localized disease, 13% had regional disease, and only <2% had distant disease (11% were of unknown stage). Non-cancerous causes of death outnumbered cancer deaths (268 vs. 108). The most frequent cancer causing death was lung cancer. There were only 18 non-epithelial skin cancer deaths and 16 miscellaneous malignancy deaths that could account for death from sebaceous carcinoma. 5 year overall survival was 71% [95% CI 67-74%]. 10 year overall survival is 47% [95% CI 43-51%]. 5 year relative survival was 95% [SE 2.4%]. 10 year relative survival was 88% [SE 4.5%]. Radiation use was rare: only 5% of patients received external beam radiation. 90% of patients had some form of surgery. No chemotherapy data was recorded.

Sebaceous carcinoma of the skin occurs at an advanced age, with a slight male predominance, and is often localized. Patients with sebaceous carcinoma are more likely to die from non-cancer related rather than cancer related death by a factor of 2.5:1. Eyelid and skin of face are the most commonly effected sites. Sebaceous carcinoma occurs most frequently in whites. Radiation use is rare.

Yu, J, Anderson, N, Decker, R, Blitzblau, R, Housman, D, Wilson, L, NCI Surveillance Epidemiology and End Results (SEER) Analysis of Sebaceous Carcinoma of the Skin.  Radiological Society of North America 2007 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 25 - November 30, 2007 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2007/6001349.html