Statistical Survey of Deaths from Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in Japan during 54 Years

Solid organ transplantation worsens the prognosis of patients with cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck region-Comparison between solid organ transplant recipients and immunocompetent patients

BACKGROUND

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck (CSCC-HN) appears to behave more aggressively in immunosuppressed patients. We aimed to investigate this hypothesis by comparing solid organ transplant recipients (SOTR) with CSCC-HN to immunocompetent patients.

METHODS

A retrospective comparative study was conducted for SOTR and immunocompetent patients who were treated for CSCC-HN.

RESULTS

A total of 177 SOTR and 157 immunocompetent patients with CSCC-HN were included. Lymph node metastases were more common in the SOTR group (9% vs 3%), and distant metastases occurred only in SOTR (3% of patients). SOTR had a higher rate of recurrences (19% vs 10%), which were mostly regional (7%) and distant (3%). The 2-year disease-specific survival of SOTR was lower (93% vs 100%).

CONCLUSIONS

SOTR with CSCC-HN has significantly worse outcomes compared to immunocompetent patients. Solid-organ transplantation should be regarded as a negative prognostic factor in patients with CSCC-HN.

Trends of keratinocyte carcinoma mortality rates in the United States as reported on death certificates, 1999 through 2010

BACKGROUND

From 1969 to 1998, keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) mortality rates declined as reported on death certificates, despite increasing incidence of KC.

OBJECTIVE

To estimate KC mortality trends from 1999 to 2010 in the United States.

METHODS

Descriptive and linear regression analysis using population-based death certificate data from the US National Center for Health Statistics.

RESULTS

On average, 1,491 deaths from nongenital KC and 1,058 deaths from genital KC were reported annually. Keratinocyte carcinoma mortality rates were stable or increasing over the study period. Highest nongenital mortality rates were seen in those older than 85 years (p < .001), men (p < .001), whites (p < .001), the South for white males (p = .001) and white females (p = .018), and nonmetropolitan areas for white males (p <.001), white females (p < .001), and black females (p = .005). Correlation between state UV Index and KC mortality existed for men (p = .004) but not for women (p = .379). Genital KC deaths increased with age (p < .001), in women (p < .001), and in less urbanized areas for white males (p < .001).

CONCLUSION

Keratinocyte carcinoma poses a serious health burden, which may be underestimated by death certificate reporting. Mortality rates are no longer declining. Increasing awareness of genital and nongenital KC, especially the elderly, and population-based studies with controlled reporting of KC mortality are needed.

Histopathological evaluation of non-melanoma skin cancer

Background

Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most frequently seen cancers worldwide.

Methods

The medical records of patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Hatay Antakya pathology laboratory between January 2010 and September 2012 were retrospectively included in the study. Tumors were categorized according to age, gender, anatomical localization, type, solitary-multiplicity, tumor diameter (0 to 2 mm, 2.1 to 6 mm and >6.1 mm), and presence of ulceration (BCCs), and morphological subtype, histopatological features and grades (SCCs).

Results

A total of 136 tumors in 127 NMSC cases were examined. Solitary tumors were seen in 118 (92.9%), and multiple tumors in 9 (7.1%) patients. Mean age of the patients was 68.5 ± 13 years. BCC was observed in 96 (75.6%) and SCC in 31 (24.4%) patients. Mean diameter of all types of solitary and multiple tumors was 7.42 ± 3.49 mm. Nodular subtype focal cystic changes were observed in 49 (47.6%) patients. All tumors (solitary and multiple) were seen on the face (67.6%), scalp (11.8%), and ear (11%). Well differentiated SCCs were detected in 20 cases (64.5%); ulceration was observed in 58.1% of all tumors.

Conclusions

Epidemiologic and histopathological investigations, routine skin scanning performed on the elderly population and dermatological examination will help to improve efficient health applications.

No chemopreventive effect of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs on nonmelanoma skin cancer: evidence from meta-analysis

Background

Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC),which includes squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and basal cell carcinoma (BCC), is the most common form of cancer, and its incidence is increasing. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) have been reported to be chemopreventive for NMSC. However, the results from published studies were controversial.

Methods

We searched the PubMed and Embase databases for relevant studies. Moreover, relevant reviews regarding the use of NSAIDs for NMSC patients were examined for potential inclusive studies. To measure the effects of NSAIDs, the relative risk (RR) was analyzed.

Results

A Total of 8 studies were included in our meta-analysis. We found that NSAIDs use was not associated with a reduced risk of SCC or BCC under the random effects model (pooled RR  =  0.86, 95% CI, 0.73–1.02, P  =  0.085; pooled RR  =  0.94, 95% CI 0.85–1.04, P  =  0.266; respectively).

Conclusion

From the included studies, we found no statistically significant chemopreventive effect on NMSC of NSAIDs. This finding warrants more prospective studies evaluating the relationship between NSAIDs and NMSC.