Squamous cell carcinoma in southern and northern Australia

Sex Disparity for Patients with Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck: A Systematic Review

The incidence of head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (HNcSCC) is unevenly distributed between men and women. At present, the mechanism behind this disparity remains elusive. This study conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of proportions to investigate the disparity between sexes for patients with HNcSCC. PubMed, Scopus, EMBASE, MEDLINE, Emcare and CINAHL were searched in November 2021 and June 2022 (N > 50, English, human), and studies which examined the association between sex and HNcSCC were included. Analysis was conducted using RStudio with data and forest plots displaying males as a proportion of total patients with HNcSCC. Two independent researchers performed study selection, data extraction, data analysis and risk of bias. Eighty-two studies (1948 to 2018) comprising approximately 186,000 participants (67% male, 33% female) from 29 countries were included. Significantly more males had HNcSCC overall (71%; CI: 67−74). Males were also significantly more affected by cSCC of the ear (92%; CI: 89−94), lip (74%; CI: 66−81), and eyelid (56%; CI: 51−62). This study found HNcSCC disproportionately affected males overall and across all subtypes. Improving our understanding of sex-specific mechanisms in HNcSCC will better inform our preventive, therapeutic and prognostic practices.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the lower limbs in Goiânia, Goiás, Brazil

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is a common malignant neoplasm that affects areas that are exposed to the sun in fair-skinned people. It occurs less frequently on the lower limbs where other etiological factors are involved.

OBJECTIVE

To determine the epidemiological aspects of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the lower limbs in Goiânia.

METHODOLOGY

Forty-three cases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the lower limbs from the Cancer Registry of the Population Base of Goiás, for the period between 1995 and 1999, were included in the study.

RESULTS

Among the cases of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma registered in this 5-year interval, 43 (4.6%) represented cases affecting the lower limbs. Of these individuals, seven (16.3%) were male and 36 (83.7%) female (P < 0.001). Those in the age group of 60 years and above represented 90.7% of the cases (P < 0.001). None of the patients had metastasis.

CONCLUSION

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas on the lower limbs are more frequently seen in women older than 60 years of age, and they rarely metastasize.

Skin cancer in Australian heart transplant recipients

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous malignancy is a major cause of morbidity in organ transplant recipients.

OBJECTIVE

Our purpose was to report on skin cancer in Australian heart transplant recipients with analysis of HLA factors.

METHODS

We reviewed histologically proven skin cancers in the first 455 patients undergoing organ transplantation in Sydney, Australia.

RESULTS

The cumulative incidence of skin cancer was 31% at 5 years and 43% at 10 years with a squamous cell carcinoma/basal cell carcinoma ratio of 3:1. Caucasian origin, increasing age at transplantation, and duration of follow-up were significantly associated with skin cancer. Skin cancer accounted for 27% of 41 deaths occurring after the fourth year. Recipient HLA-DR homozygosity was associated with skin cancer overall, whereas HLA-DR7 was a protective factor in skin cancer overall, squamous cell carcinoma, and Bowen's disease. HLA-A1 and HLA-A11 were significant protective factors in Bowen's disease.

CONCLUSION

Skin cancer is a major cause of morbidity and long-term mortality in heart transplant patients.

Recurrent nonmelanoma skin cancer in southern Australia

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE

In retrospective studies of non-melanoma skin cancers, the recurrence rates were relatively high. This study had as its aim to determine the recurrence rate of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and prospectively, risk factors for recurrence in southern Australia.

STUDY DESIGN

This is a prospective study of outpatients with histologically confirmed NMSC. All patients seen by a dermatologist between November 1988 and November 1989 were entered into the study and followed for at least 3 years. Any recurrent NMSCS were removed and recorded.

RESULTS

Four hundred and eighty-one patients were entered and 420 followed for at least 3 years. A recurrent NMSC developed in 8% (adjusted for losses). A multivariate analysis determined that the main risk factor for recurrence within the first 3 years of follow-up was the number of NMSC a patient had when entering into the study. Those with 3 to nine NMSC were five times more likely to develop a recurrence than those with less than three NMSC. Those with 10 or more NMSC were 25 times more likely to develop a recurrence. Age, sex, and types of skin cancers removed were not risk factors within the first 3 years of follow-up.

CONCLUSION

Patients who have had multiple skin cancers require careful follow-up because of the risk of developing recurrences.

Nonmelanoma skin cancer: number of cancers and their distribution in outpatients

BACKGROUND

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is increasing in incidence and more are developing on the trunk and limbs. The objectives were to determine how many outpatients have more than one NMSC at the time they present for treatment and to determine the anatomical distribution of the cancers.

METHODS

All outpatients with histologically confirmed NMSC visited by the authors during 1992 received a total body examination and the number and sites of NMSC were recorded.

RESULTS

A total of 952 outpatients were seen. A single NMSC was present in 69.4%, two in 16%, three in 6.4%, four in 3.5%, five to nine in 4.2%, and 0.5% had ten or more. Of the 291 patients with more than one NMSC, one anatomical region was involved in 53.4%, two were involved in 38.4%, and 8.2% had three or more regions involved.

CONCLUSION

Patients with NMSC required a total body examination to detect unsuspected skin cancers.

Familial occurrence of multiple nonmelanoma skin cancer

A survey of patients with histologically confirmed nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) found 12 families in which several members developed skin cancers. The prevalence of NMSC in these families was far greater than in the normal population. The trait appeared to be dominantly inherited, and NMSC developed at an earlier age in succeeding generations, possibly because of a change in sun exposure habits.