Integrating depth of invasion in T classification improves the prognostic performance of the American Joint Committee on Cancer primary tumor staging system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Background: The last revision of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) Cancer Staging Manual included a specific system for cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (CSCC) of the head and neck. Here, we assessed the prognostic performance of six candidate modified T-classification models in head and neck CSCC patients.

Methods: Analysis of 916 patients with head and neck CSCC given treatment with curative intent at The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center between 1995 and 2019 was performed.