A Clinical and Statistical Study of Cutaneous Malignant Tumors in Busan City and the Eastern Gyeongnam Province Over 15 Years (1996~2010)

Ha, Seung Min; Ko, Dong Yeob; Jeon, Su Young; Kim, Ki Ho; Song, Ki Hoon

Abstract

BACKGROUND
The incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors, especially basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and malignant melanoma (MM), has continuously increased in Korea. However, there has been little research into the distribution and incidence of malignant skin tumors in the south-eastern part of Korea.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to analyze recent trends in incidence and clinical patterns of cutaneous malignant tumors in Busan city and the eastern Gyeongnam Province.
METHODS
We reviewed 714 cases of cutaneous malignant tumors that include BCC, SCC, and MM from January 1996 to December 2010 at the Department of Dermatology in Dong-A University Hospital.
RESULTS
The average annual incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors among the total number of outpatients was 1.18% and has continuously increased from 0.63% to 1.91% over the last 15 years (1996~2010). In particular, the average annual incidence of BCC and SCC has markedly increased from 0.35% and 0.25% to 0.94% and 0.79%, respectively. The most common cutaneous malignant tumor was BCC (48.32%), followed by SCC (41.18%) and MM (10.50%). The mean age of onset in patients who had been diagnosed with cutaneous malignant tumors was 65.07 years (males: 62.04, females: 67.87). There was a similar incidence between males and females in cutaneous malignant tumors (1:1.08). The most common site of cutaneous malignant tumors was the face (66.25%); the cheek (34.04%) was the most preferential site on the face, followed by the nose (30.23%).
CONCLUSION
The incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors has gradually increased in Busan city and the eastern Gyeongnam Province, which was relatively higher than the incidence in other areas. It was thought to be due to the higher proportion of the elderly than in other areas of the country and skin cancer centers in our hospital.