{
  "abstract": "Objective: Intracranial epidermoid cysts (IECs) are rare, benign congenital lesions that occasionally undergo malignant transformation into squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). This study presents a rare case of an IEC in the anterior cranial fossa transforming into SCC and reviews existing literature to summarize clinical characteristics, treatment strategies, and survival outcomes.\n\nMethods: We detail the clinical presentation, management and long-term follow-up of a 52-year-old female who developed SCC 75 months after initial subtotal resection of an anterior cranial fossa IEC. We also conducted a comprehensive systematic literature search across PubMed, MEDLINE and CNKI in accordance with PRISMA guidelines compiling 59 well-documented cases (including our index case) to analyze demographic features, transformation intervals, treatment modalities and overall survival.\n\nResults: Our patient underwent repeat subtotal tumor resection followed by adjuvant intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). She maintained a disease-free survival (DFS) of 14 months post-radiotherapy (17 months post-reoperation) until July 2026, when she developed multifocal intraventricular recurrence. The literature review revealed a mean patient age of 54.7 years with an equal gender distribution (1.03:1). The cerebellopontine angle (CPA) was the most frequent tumor site (50.85%). The mean interval from IEC diagnosis to malignant transformation was 9.24 years. Prognosis for transformed SCC remains poor, with a median overall survival of 6 months. However, patients treated with surgery combined with radiotherapy demonstrated significantly improved outcomes (median survival 13 months) compared to those undergoing surgery alone (41 days).\n\nConclusions: Malignant transformation of IECs into SCC is a rare, aggressive complication. Long-term surveillance with contrast-enhanced MRI is vital for patients with previously resected IECs. Early detection, maximal safe surgical resection followed by adjuvant radiotherapy currently offers the most favorable survival benefit.",
  "abstract_shown": true,
  "affiliations": [
    "Department of Oncology, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University",
    "Village Market Department, M.P. Shah Hospital",
    "Clinical Teaching and Research Section, The Second Xiangya Hospital, Central South University"
  ],
  "article_type": null,
  "arxiv": null,
  "author_total": 7,
  "authors": [
    {
      "affs": [
        0,
        1
      ],
      "name": "Lorraine Edna Onzere"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Jinan Ma"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        2
      ],
      "name": "Elihuruma Eliufoo Stephano"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        1
      ],
      "name": "Peter Mutinda Kisangai"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yunfei Li"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Weini Quan"
    },
    {
      "affs": [
        0
      ],
      "name": "Yuanqiang Wu"
    }
  ],
  "bibtex": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9qtpadr20drxs.bib",
  "cited_by": 0,
  "doi": "10.3389/fonc.2026.1978480",
  "fulltext_url": null,
  "id": "9qtpadr20drxs",
  "issns": [
    "2234-943X"
  ],
  "landing_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1978480/full",
  "language": null,
  "licence": "CC-BY-4.0",
  "licence_label": "CC BY 4.0",
  "licence_source": "article",
  "licence_url": "https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/",
  "metadata_licence": null,
  "native_subjects": [
    [
      "openalex",
      "2746|Teratomas and Epidermoid Cysts"
    ]
  ],
  "openalex": "W7224113330",
  "pdf_url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1978480/pdf",
  "pmcid": null,
  "pmid": null,
  "published": "2026-10-28",
  "publisher": "Frontiers Media SA",
  "ris": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9qtpadr20drxs.ris",
  "sources": [
    {
      "first_seen": "2026-10-30T12:20:14Z",
      "native_id": "10.3389/fonc.2026.1978480",
      "source": "crossref",
      "url": "https://www.frontiersin.org/articles/10.3389/fonc.2026.1978480/full"
    }
  ],
  "subjects": [
    {
      "field": "medicine",
      "origin": "openalex:2746|Teratomas and Epidermoid Cysts",
      "subfield": "surgery"
    }
  ],
  "title": "Malignant transformation of an intracranial epidermoid cyst into squamous cell carcinoma: a case report and systematic review",
  "title_text": "Malignant transformation of an intracranial epidermoid cyst into squamous cell carcinoma: a case report and systematic review",
  "type": "peer-reviewed",
  "updated_at": "2026-10-30T12:20:14Z",
  "url": "https://research.draconitic.com/paper/9qtpadr20drxs",
  "venue": "Frontiers in Oncology",
  "versions": []
}