Histopathological evaluation of non-melanoma skin cancer

BACKGROUND Non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) are the most frequently seen cancers worldwide. METHODS The medical records of patients diagnosed with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Hatay Antakya pathology laboratory between January 2010 and September 2012 were retrospectively included in the study. Tumors were categorized according to age, gender, anatomical localization, type, solitary-multiplicity, tumor diameter (0 to 2 mm, 2.1 to 6 mm and >6.1 mm), and presence of ulceration (BCCs), and morphological subtype, histopatological features and grades (SCCs). RESULTS A total of 136 tumors in 127 NMSC cases were examined. Solitary tumors were seen in 118 (92.9%), and multiple tumors in 9 (7.1%) patients. Mean age of the patients was 68.5 ± 13 years. BCC was observed in 96 (75.6%) and SCC in 31 (24.4%) patients. Mean diameter of all types of solitary and multiple tumors was 7.42 ± 3.49 mm. Nodular subtype focal cystic changes were observed in 49 (47.6%) patients. All tumors (solitary and multiple) were seen on the face (67.6%), scalp (11.8%), and ear (11%). Well differentiated SCCs were detected in 20 cases (64.5%); ulceration was observed in 58.1% of all tumors. CONCLUSIONS Epidemiologic and histopathological investigations, routine skin scanning performed on the elderly population and dermatological examination will help to improve efficient health applications.