Ormaza-Arevalo et al. (2026)
Abstract
Introduction: Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) of the scalp presents a particularly
complex clinical scenario due to cumulative sun exposure, limited tissue extensibility, and the
immediate proximity of the galea, periosteum, calvarium, and dura mater. Infiltrative tumors may
exhibit subclinical extension, perineural invasion, bone involvement, and regional metastasis.
Objective: To synthesize the evidence regarding the diagnosis, staging, and management of
infiltrative scalp cSCC. Methods: A systematic review was conducted following PRISMA 2020
guidelines. A primary search was performed in PubMed covering the period from January 2010
to September 4, 2026, supplemented by reference searches in OpenAlex and Google Scholar.
Included studies comprised clinical trials, cohort studies, case series, and case reports containing
specific data on scalp cSCC and diagnostic, surgical, radiotherapy, or systemic outcomes.
Results: The primary search identified 95 records; 44 full-text articles were evaluated, and 28
studies were included in the qualitative synthesis. Key risk factors identified were deep invasion,
involvement of the galea or periosteum, poor differentiation, perineural invasion,
immunosuppression, recurrence, and nodal disease. Surgery with histological margin control
remains the preferred strategy for resectable disease. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is
particularly useful when perineural or intracranial invasion is suspected, whereas computed
tomography (CT) allows for the assessment of cortical erosion. Radiotherapy serves as an
alternative or adjunct treatment for locally advanced disease, unresectable involved margins, and
perineural invasion; PD-1 inhibitors are essential for unresectable or metastatic disease.
Conclusions: Infiltrative scalp cSCC should be managed as a high-risk entity. Assessment of
tumor depth and deep structures, complete margin control, and multidisciplinary planning are
crucial for reducing recurrence and disease progression.
Keywords: cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma; scalp; invasion; calvaria; Mohs surgery;
radiotherapy; immunotherapy; PRISMA 2020.
estructuras profundas con escasos
1
. Introducción
planos de seguridad. La evidencia
disponible sitúa al cuero cabelludo
entre las localizaciones de mayor
riesgo, con tasas de recurrencia local
aproximadas de 6–10% y metástasis
ganglionar cercanas a 7–9% en
determinadas series [1,2].
El carcinoma escamocelular cutáneo
CEC) es una neoplasia maligna de
queratinocitos con capacidad de
invasión local, recurrencia
(
y
diseminación linfática. Aunque la
mayoría de los CEC se controlan con
cirugía, los localizados en cuero
cabelludo presentan particularidades
El
término
comportamiento
infiltrativo se utiliza en esta revisión
para describir tumores con extensión
clínica o histológica más allá de la
dermis superficial, invasión de tejido
anatómicas
pueden
y
oncológicas que
favorecer un
comportamiento agresivo. La piel
cabelluda se encuentra apoyada
sobre tejido celular subcutáneo,
galea aponeurótica, tejido areolar
laxo, periostio y calota; por ello, la
progresión vertical puede alcanzar
subcutáneo, galea, periostio
hueso, patrones histológicos
agresivos, invasión perineural o
crecimiento subclínico que
o