Skin cancer surveillance and malignancies of the skin in a community-dwelling cohort of patients with newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia

Purpose: Assess compliance with skin cancer screening guidelines in a community-dwelling cohort of patients with newly diagnosed chronic lymphocytic leukemia (CLL) and evaluate the clinical utility of such screening. Methods: We identified patients diagnosed at Mayo Clinic with CLL between January 1, 2004, and June 1, 2012, who resided within 30 miles of Mayo Clinic. We evaluated adherence to skin cancer screening and identified the prevalence of skin malignancies during follow-up. Medical records were reviewed to document skin cancer screening and diagnosis of a skin malignancy. Results: Collectively, 113 individuals who met criteria were diagnosed with CLL during the study interval. Forty-one patients (36%) had a whole body skin examination by either a dermatologist or primary care provider documented within 6 months of diagnosis; of these; nine (8% of overall cohort; 22% of examined patients) had a skin malignancy identified. Fifteen additional skin malignancies were diagnosed during follow-up. There were a total of 24 skin malignancies (21% of cohort) diagnosed, including basal cell carcinoma (n = 10), squamous cell carcinoma (n = 11), sebaceous carcinomas (n = 2), and melanoma (n = 1). Conclusion: We documented a low compliance with guidelines to screen for skin malignancy in a community-dwelling cohort of patients with newly diagnosed CLL. Standardized and systems-based approaches are likely to increase compliance with skin cancer screening guidelines in patients with CLL.