Initial basal cell carcinomas diagnosed in the National Campaign for Skin Cancer Prevention are smaller than those identified by the conventional medical referral system

Abstract

BACKGROUNDBasal cell carcinoma is the malignant tumor most often diagnosed in the National Campaign for Skin Cancer Prevention (NCSCP). Little is known about the profile of these lesions compared to the profile of lesions diagnosed by conventional routes of public dermatological care.OBJECTIVETo identify if basal cell carcinomas identified in prevention campaigns and referred to surgery are smaller than those routinely removed in a same medical institution.METHODSCross-sectional study including tumors routed from 2011-2014 campaigns and 84 anatomopathological reports of outpatients.RESULTSThe campaigns identified 223 individuals with suspicious lesions among 2,531 examinations (9%), with 116 basal cell carcinomas removed. Anatomopathological examinations revealed that the primary lesions identified in the national campaigns were smaller than those referred to surgery by the conventional routes of public health care (28 [13-50] x 38 [20-113] mm2, p <0.01). On the other hand, after a mean follow-up of 15.6 ± 10.3 months, 31% of cases identified in campaigns showed new basal cell carcinoma lesions.STUDY LIMITATIONSRetrospective study and inaccuracies in the measurements of the lesions.CONCLUSIONSThe NCSCP promotes an earlier treatment of basal cell carcinomas compared to patients referred to surgery by the conventional routes of public health care, which can result in lower morbidity rates and better prognosis.

Demographics and spatial distribution of the Brazilian dermatologists

“…However, this survey serves as background to know the associate profile, the heterogeneity of the geographical distribution and the possible areas in need of a specialized skin health care, since a better dermatologic coverage is associated to a lower morbidity and mortality of skin conditions. 18 , 19 …”

Ação contra o câncer de pele em cidade com alto índice ultravioleta

“…Elucidando esse fato, uma pesquisa brasileira relatou a identificação mais precoce de câncer de pele não melanoma na Campanha Nacional de Prevenção ao Câncer de Pele quando comparado ao realizado pelas rotas convencionais do sistema público de saúde. Dos casos diagnosticados menores do que um centímetro de diâmetro, 86% vieram de campanhas e 71% dos referenciados pelo sistema convencional de saúde (21) .…”