Incidence and Trends of Cutaneous Malignancies in the Netherlands, 1989–2005

Abstract

Epidemiology of rare cutaneous malignancies in the general population is poorly documented. This descriptive study aimed to estimate the incidence and trends of all skin malignancies between 1989 and 2005. Data on skin tumors were extracted from the Netherlands Cancer registry (except for basal cell carcinoma (BCC) data-only available from Comprehensive Cancer Centre South) and categorized according to the International Classification of Diseases for Oncology, third edition, codes. Age-standardized incidence rates (European standardized population rate, ESR) per 100,000 person-years were calculated per year and for the period between 2001 and 2005. Estimated annual percentage changes (EAPCs) were estimated by Poisson regression models. A total of 356,620 skin tumors were diagnosed between 1989 and 2005. Excluding BCC, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma, the remaining skin tumors constituted about 2% of all skin malignancies. The incidence of melanoma showed the steepest increase (EAPC, 4.0%), and ESR was close to that observed for SCC (EAPC, 2.3%) between 2001 and 2005 (17.1 versus 19.6). Hematolymphoid tumors (ESR=0.74) were mainly cutaneous T-cell lymphomas (60.8%). No significant increases in incidence were observed for lymphomas, and appendageal, fibromatous, and myomatous carcinomas during 1989-2005. In addition to keratinocytic cancers and melanoma, there is a wide variety of skin tumors that constitute <2% of all skin malignancies. The incidence of UV-related skin tumors increased significantly and more steeply than did those of other skin malignancies.

International trends in the incidence of malignant melanoma 1953–2008—are recent generations at higher or lower risk?

“…The incidence of melanoma has steadily increased over the last 50 years in most fair-skinned populations. [2][3][4][5][6] Such observations have been well documented in Europe 3,[7][8][9][10][11][12] (particularly in the Nordic countries), 2,3 North America, 13,14 Australia and New Zealand, 5,6 where incidence rates remain the highest reported worldwide. Nevertheless, several studies published during the last decade have reported rates in several of these populations as either stabilizing or declining, including a number of Northern and Western European countries, 3 the U.S., 13 Canada, 14 Australia 5,15 and New Zealand.…”

MicroRNA expression differs in cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas and healthy skin of immunocompetent individuals

“…Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is one of the most common skin cancer leading to death in 0.5-2% of the cases in Europe (1)(2)(3). Numerous pathways are reported to be involved in its development, but the influence of microRNAs (miRNA) has only been sporadically analysed (4)(5)(6)(7), and the relation between their expression and cSCC development has only scarcely been looked at (8,9).…”

Known and potential new risk factors for skin cancer in European populations: a multicentre case-control study

“…1 Most skin cancers comprise basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM), together responsible for about 98% of all skin cancers. 2 BCC and SCC have low mortality rates, but multiple and recurring tumours confer a high morbidity and considerable burden for health care providers and health budgets. Moreover, SCC has the potential to grow fast and to metastasize.…”