A Statistical Study of Cutaneous Malignant Tumors (2001~2005)

Kim, Dong Hyun; Kwon, In Ho; Cho, Kwang Hyun

Abstract

BACKGROUND: The incidence of skin cancers has been continuously increasing worldwide.
OBJECTIVE
Our purpose was to analyze the recent changes and clinical characteristics of cutaneous premalignant lesions and malignant tumors, and to compare those with other previously reported data.
METHODS
We reviewed clinical data and histopathology reports from 125 cases of cutaneous premalignant lesions and 261 cases of malignant tumors out of a total of 23,971 new outpatients who had visited the Department of Dermatology at the Seoul National Hospital during a 5 year period (2001~2005).
RESULTS
The incidence of cutaneous premalignant lesions was 0.52% and that of malignant tumors was 1.08%. The most common cutaneous premalignant lesion was actinic keratosis (72%). Among the malignant tumors, basal cell carcinoma (42.1%) was the most common, followed in order by squamous cell carcinoma (19.5%), malignant melanoma (10.7%), metastatic carcinoma (9.9%) and lymphoma (9.1%). The incidence of basal cell carcinoma was markedly increased compared to research results that had been done in the past for the same hospital.
CONCLUSION
The incidence of skin cancers has been continuously increasing, and it is mostly due to the increasing incidence of basal cell carcinoma.