Age, Comorbidity Score Prognostic for Skin Appendage Carcinoma
Better survival predicted with private insurance compared with Medicaid, Medicare, no insurance
By Dermsquared Editorial Team | May 14, 2025
WEDNESDAY, May 14, 2025 (HealthDay News) -- Age and comorbidity scores are significant prognostic factors for skin appendage carcinoma (SAC), with older age and higher scores linked to decreased survival, according to a study published in the May issue of SKIN.
Xinxin Wu, from the Creighton University School of Medicine in Omaha, Nebraska, and colleagues analyzed data from the National Cancer Database to identify factors affecting SAC mortality in a retrospective study of patients diagnosed with histologically confirmed SAC between 2004 and 2019. The final cohort included 815 patients.
The researchers found that SAC was slightly more common in men than women and often occurs in the face, scalp, and neck regions. Significant prognostic factors included age and Charlson-Deyo comorbidity scores; older age and higher scores were linked to reduced survival. Better survival was predicted by private insurance compared with Medicaid, Medicare, or no insurance.
"Age, Charlson-Deyo comorbidity scores, and insurance status are critical predictors of survival, emphasizing the need for prompt and comprehensive care for older patients and those with higher comorbidities," the authors write. "These findings underscore the importance of individualized clinical interventions, considering patients' specific health profiles and ensuring equitable access to health care resources for the individual."