Epidemiology of squamous cell carcinomas among the population attended in the city of Tubarão, Brazil, between 1999 and 2009

Abstract

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is the most common neoplasm in Brazil, with increasing incidence in recent decades. Data on the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma are scarce in southern Santa Catarina. OBJECTIVE: To establish epidemiological data on squamous cell carcinoma in Tubarão, State of Santa Catarina. METHODS: A cross-sectional review was conducted on anatomical pathology reports, positive for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, found in the local laboratories. A convenience sampling method was used for data collection, since all the pathology reports from the local laboratories between 1999 and 2009 were included. The collected variables included year of diagnosis, age, gender, city of origin, tumor site, histological type and subtype, lesion size, margin involvement and relapse. RESULTS: In total, 1,437 case reports were identified, most frequently in individuals between 70 and 79 years old. Patient morbidity was 69.5 per 100,000 population for the year 1999, and 136.7 per 100,000 population for the year 2009, which represents a 50 percent increase. The face was the most affected area and the most common histological subtype was the well-differentiated tumor. CONCLUSION: There were 1,437 reports of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin between 1999 and 2009, with a significant increase in patient morbidity. There was an association between male gender and location on the lip and ear, and between females and the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin on the nose, and upper and lower limbs. There was a prevalence of margin involvement after resection in 18% of lesions.

Histopathological evaluation of non-melanoma skin cancer

“…In our study, the nodular subtype was seen at a rate in accordance with the literature, but mixed subtypes were ranked second. Corrêa and colleagues recorded that well differentiated types were the most frequently seen type of SCC, followed by the moderately differentiated type [30]. In our study, most of the SCCs were of the well differentiated type, and poorly differentiated (grade 3) and anaplastic or undifferentiated (grade 4) types were not observed.…”

Squamous cell cancer – 31-year epidemiological study in a city of south Brazil

“…In Tubarão, Santa Catarina, a study of 1437 histopathological reports found an incidence rate of squamous cell carcinoma that reached 136.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2009. 15 …”

“…In the study carried out in Tubarão - SC, higher incidences were found of squamous cell carcinoma in ears and lips of men compared with women. 15 …”

Analysis of the histomorphologic profile of invasive cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma from 2002 to 2011 in a pathology laboratory in the region of Campos Gerais, Brazil

“… 1 , 2 , 4 , 6 The mechanism involves the production of thymine dimers in the TP53 gene, a tumor suppressor that contributes to DNA mutations and oncogenesis. 2 , 7 This association justifies the characterization of actinic keratosis as a precursor lesion and its higher prevalence among older adults. 1 , 6 , 7 …”