Epidemiological profile of elderly patients with non-melanoma skin cancer seen at the dermatology outpatient clinic of a public hospital

Abstract

Basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma, referred to as non-melanoma skin cancer, are the most common malignancies in humans. Their incidence is increasing worldwide every year. In Brazil, even with the advent of educational campaigns on photoprotection and laws that banned tanning beds, they are the most frequent neoplasias, representing a public health problem recognized by the Ministry of health. Keywords: Aged care; Carcinoma, basal cell; Carcinoma, squamous cell; Social conditions; Elderly; Neoplasms, basal cell; Neoplasms, squamous cell; Skin neoplasms; Health of the elderly Despite low mortality, situations in which there is a delay in the diagnosis can lead to skin ulcerations and severe physical deformities, with high morbidity, becoming a burden for health institutions. 2,3 NMSC incidence is increasing all over the world every year and can be increased even further by the population aging process.Eighty percent of NMSC diagnoses are made in people older than 55 years of age. Even if it affects young adults and kids, it is a condition essentially of the elderly. 4 Brazilian population has been going through a significant aging process, leading to a transformation in the epidemiologic profile towards the predominance of chronic, non-transmissible diseases, with cancer being one of them. Therefore, it is crucial that the health services adapt to the needs of this part of the population, providing it good quality medical care.For this reason, studies aiming at better understanding the health issues of the elderly with NMSC and the histological types of tumors that most often affect them will be able to offer us scientific data in order to guide the development of guidelines of care to the elderly individuals affected by this condition and help allocate resources in strategies of prevention and early diagnosis. Table 1.

Albinism: epidemiology, genetics, cutaneous characterization, psychosocial factors

“…Actinic and skin cancers are generally found in middle-aged and elderly fair-skinned individuals living in sunny areas, such as Australia and South Africa 94 . An estimated 80% of skin cancers are diagnosed in those aged over 55 years 95 . A recent study performed at the Skin Oncology Sector of the Dermatology Outpatient Clinic of the Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo (not yet published), revealed that the age of 945 patients with first-time non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) averaged 68 years, while 1.7% were under 40 years of age and 90.3% were over 50 years.…”

Mohs Defect Repair with Dehydrated Human Amnion/Chorion Membrane

“…Frequencies ( n ) and percentages summarized dichotomous variables and categorical observations. Differences were compared with Student's t -test, Fisher's exact test, or Pearson's χ 2 test. Use of nonparametric Mann–Whitney test or Wilcoxon rank-sum methods depended on the distribution of data.…”

“…Epidemiological estimates indicate a disproportionate surge of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in the elderly, with 80% of all new cases occurring in persons >65 years. 1 , 2 As a result of longer life expectancy and the cumulative impact of ultraviolet radiation and sun exposure on anatomically vulnerable sites such as the face, head, and neck, older individuals may develop multiple tumors in localized regions. 3 , 4 This necessitates repeat surgical management that maintains a delicate balance between adequate excision, aesthetics, and function.…”