Changes in the Incidence of Skin and Lip Cancer Between 1978 and 2007

Results of surgical treatment of lymph node metastases in patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck

INTRODUCTION

Out of all cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas originating in the head and neck (HNCSCC), 2-4% are associated with parotid or cervical lymph node metastasis. The aim of this study is to analyse the prognostic factors of patients with HNCSCC with lymph node involvement treated surgically. Additionally, we aim to compare the prognostic capacity of the classification of these patients according to the 8th edition of the TNM, and an alternative classification proposed by O'Brien et al. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Retrospective review of 65 patients with HNCSCC with lymph node metastasis treated surgically during the period 2000-2020.

RESULTS

During the study period we carried out 13 neck dissections and 52 parotidectomies + neck dissection in patients with lymph node metastases from a HNCSCC. The great majority of patients (89.2%) received post-operative radiotherapy. The 5 year disease-specific survival was 69.9%, and the overall survival it was 42.8%. The classification proposed by O'Brien et al., based on the parotid or cervical location of the lymph node metastases, and the size and number of the metastatic lymph nodes, had a better prognostic capacity than the TNM classification.

CONCLUSIONS

The surgical treatment of lymph node metastases in patients with HNCSCC achieved a high disease control. The classification based on the location, size and number of lymph node metastases proposed by O'Brien et al had better prognostic capacity than the TNM classification.

Photoprotection Knowledge, Habits, and Attitudes Among Spanish and Italian Medical Students

Exposure to UV radiation is a major risk factor for the development of malignant skin neoplasms. Currently, there are no studies available on sun-exposure habits among different countries. We conducted a cross-sectional survey among medical students from the University of Rome, Italy and the University of Granada, Spain to compare their photoprotection knowledge, habits, and attitudes. A total of 215 medical students (114 Spanish, and 101 Italian) were included. Spanish students considered the Sun to be the main cause of skin cancer (83.3% vs 61.4%, P=.003) and they looked at their skin more often than Italian students did (32.5% vs 9.9%, P <.001). The latter received information on photoprotection mainly from their dermatologist (34.7%, 35/101) vs Spaniards who received such information from their university (39.5%, 45/114; P <.001). After studying dermatology, Spaniards used sunscreen more frequently than Italians did (76.8% before vs 88.1% after; P=.007), and recognised the need to implement other measures as well (44.9% vs 67.2%; P=.025).

Skin cancer mortality in Spain: adjusted mortality rates by province and related risk factors

BACKGROUND

Ultraviolet radiation is the main environmental risk factor responsible for the development of skin cancer. Other occupational, socioeconomic, and environmental factors appear to be related to the risk of skin cancer. Furthermore, the factors appear to differ for melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC). The purpose of this study is to analyze mortality rates of skin cancer in the different provinces of Spain and to determine the influence of socioeconomic conditions and other environmental and demographic factors in rates.

METHODS

Deaths from melanoma and NMSC in the period 2000-2019 were obtained as well as socioeconomic and environmental variables. Annual standardized mortality rates (SMR) were calculated for all Spanish provinces. The Pearson correlation coefficient was calculated.

RESULTS

The SMR of melanoma was 2.10/100,000 inhabitants, while that of NMSC was 1.28/100,000. At the provincial level, a great variability is confirmed. Gross domestic product showed a positive correlation with melanoma mortality but a negative correlation with NMSC. Other environmental and socioeconomic variables also showed correlation, as a positive correlation between tobacco sales and melanoma and between agricultural development and the NMSC.

CONCLUSIONS

There are still important differences between each province that must be taken into account when planning health care and resource distribution. This ecological and province-wise study helps to elucidate the relationship between social and ambient exposure determinants and skin cancer mortality in Spain.

The incidence of skin melanoma in Gran Canaria (Canary Islands, Spain) is lower than expected in Southern Europe despite high-risk environmental conditions: an island-wide cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

The Canary Islands are a leading European touristic destination. The ultraviolet index (UVI) in the region is the highest in Spain, and similar to indexes registered in Australia and New Zealand, which hold the highest incidence of skin melanoma worldwide. Yet according to cancer registry data, the incidence in the Canary Islands in the late 1990s was the lowest in Spain (among the lowest in Europe) and about six times lower than in New Zealand.

PURPOSE

To analyze the incidence rates of skin melanoma in Gran Canaria island between 2007 and 2018.

METHODS

The study was based in the two centres of the Canary Islands' Healthcare Service centralizing melanoma care in Gran Canaria. We analyzed crude and age-standardized (ASR) incidence rates of invasive cutaneous melanoma for the period 2007-2018 following the inclusion criteria of the International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Clinical and histological characteristics of melanoma patients were assessed.

RESULTS

A total of 1058 patients were included. The incidence rates obtained matched the latest available Canary Islands' cancer registry data, confirming its reliability (ASR, Segi-Doll world standard population: 6.4 cases per 100,000 habitants for 2008-2012). The incidence was also below the latest IARC predictions for Southern Europe (GLOBOCAN 2018). Histological characteristics of patients were similar to other Southern European series.

CONCLUSIONS

The incidence of skin melanoma in Gran Canaria is unexpectedly low for a Southern European population exposed to such a high UVI. Further research in the Canary Islands could provide insight into a better understanding of melanoma pathogenesis.

Selenium-binding protein 1 is down-regulated in malignant melanoma

Selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1) expression is reduced in various epithelial cancer entities compared to corresponding normal tissue and has already been described as a tumor suppressor involved in the regulation of cell proliferation, senescence, migration and apoptosis. We identified SELENBP1 to be down-regulated in cutaneous melanoma, a malignant cancer of pigment-producing melanocytes in the skin, which leads to the assumption that SELENBP1 also functions as tumor suppressor in the skin, as shown by others e.g. for prostate or lung carcinoma.

However, in vitro analyses indicate that SELENBP1 re-expression in human melanoma cell lines has no impact on cell proliferation, migration or tube formation of the tumor cells themselves when compared to control-transfected cells. Interestingly, supernatant taken from melanoma cell lines transfected with a SELENBP1 re-expression plasmid led to suppression of vessel formation of HMEC cells. Furthermore, SELENBP1 re-expression alters the sensitivity of melanoma cells for Vemurafenib treatment.

The data also hint to a functional interaction of SELENBP1 with GPX1 (Glutathione peroxidase 1). Low SELENBP1 mRNA levels correlate inversely with GPX1 expression in melanoma. The re-expression of SELENBP1 combined with down-regulation of GPX1 expression led to reduction of the proliferation of melanoma cells. In summary, SELENBP1 influences the tumor microenvironment and SELENBP1 action is functionally influenced by GPX1.