Epidemiology of skin cancer

Abstract EN

Objective : The aim of the study is to find out the skin cancer distribution, level of risk and histopathological typing.

Design : Retrospective cancer registry-based study.

Setting : Cancer Research Unit, Basrah Medical College.

Method : The study was performed from 2005 to 2009.

Four hundred fifty-seven new cases were registered during five years.

Eighty-three cases were not inhabitants of Basrah governorate and were excluded from statistical analysis.

Therefore, the sample used in the study is 374 (81.8 %).

Result : Skin cancer accounts for 4.7 % of all new cancer cases registered from 2005 to 2009.

The mean age of skin cancer cases was 54.8 + 18.4 years.

The risk increased with advancing age in both sexes in terms of relative frequency and in age specific incidence.

Conclusion: Skin cancer has a major share among total cancer cases in Basrah.

Further analytical epidemiological study to identify the determinants of local patterns is advised.