CORE OUTCOME PROJECTS

The aim of IMPROVED is to develop core outcome sets for skin diseases and conditions that can be treated by pharmacologic as well as non-pharmacologic interventions, particularly procedures or surgery.   Each outcome set is a separate project and is based on the CSG-COUSIN roadmap, as well as methodologic guidance put forth by COMET.

CUTANEOUS SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common skin cancer, and in many Western countries, it is one of the most common cancers overall.  Outcome measures for treatment of cSCC frequently focus on likelihood of recurrence.  However, for many patients, cSCC is an episodic and ongoing chronic process associated with additional morbidities and costs.   Solid organ transplant recipients and other immunosuppressed patients are particularly susceptible to cSCC.

A core outcome set for cSCC may include a sufficiently broad set of outcomes to measure this disease in various clinical contexts and patient populations.   Use of such a core outcome set may eventually help clarify the relative costs and benefits of different treatment modalities.