The Demographics of Patients with Skin Cancer who Underwent Surgery in Diyarbakır and Performed Surgical Techniques

Abstract

Objective: The major factor for developing malignant skin cancers is sunlight exposure. This study aimed to evaluate the demographics of patients with skin cancers who underwent surgery in Diyarbakır where the population is exposed to more sunlight than most other Turkish cities. Methods: The medical records of patients who underwent surgery for malignant skin cancer excision between 2011 and 2016 were searched using University Hospital's patient database program. Data about patients' demographics, cancer features, and the surgical techniques performed were collected. Results: Over a 5-year period, 190 patients underwent surgical excision. The male to female ratio was 1.56, and the mean age was 65.8 ± 15.7 (range, 20-94) years. The most common skin cancer was basal cell carcinoma (n=138, 72.7%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (n=45, 23.7%) and malignant melanoma (n=5, 2.6%). The most common surgery was primary excision, which was performed in 90 of 190 patients (47.36%); tissue reconstruction with a skin graft or flap surgery was required for the remaining 100 (52.63%), showing a significant difference (p<0.001). Conclusion: Basal cell carcinoma is the most common skin cancer, and less than half of the patients sought treatment immediately after they recognized the lesion. The public should be educated about skin cancers to increase early diagnosis and encourage timely treatment, thereby decreasing morbidity and mortality from skin cancer.