Abstract

BARON ESTRADA, óscar Iván; ALVAREZ SIERRA, Julián  and  MONTEALEGRE GOMEZ, Giovanni. A retrospective analysis of basall cell and squamous cell skin carcer in Bogota, Colombia: its epidemiology, prevention and treatment. rev.fac.med. [online]. 2009, vol.57, n.1, pp.40-48. ISSN 0120-0011.

Background. Basal cell (BCC) and squamous cell (SCC) non-melanomous skin cancer has close to 13 percent incidence rate and is the most prevalent cancer occurring amongst the white population. It involves high morbidity for the patient and high costs for the health system and, although it is the most frequently diagnosed malignancy, only oncological institutions have statistics regarding it in Colombia, mainly emphasizing melanomas. The main risk factors are exposure to UV-B radiation, skin type, radiation, human papillomavirus (HPV); its treatment includes topical medication, cryotherapy, electrofulguration and surgery. Objective. Analysing some epidemiological characteristics of cutaneous cancer (BCC-SCC) in our environment, establishing similarities and differences regarding the current literature. Materials and methods. The medical records of 202 patients having a confirmed diagnosis of BCC or SCC from 2004 to 2006 attending the San Pedro Claver hospital were reviewed in a retrospective study of a series of cases. The most common variables were analysed, such as the type of injury, its location, size, histological pattern and treatment. Results. 112 patients were enrolled in the study; nearly 60 percent were male and average age was 69.5. 90% of the injuries were located on the face (cheeks, eyelids, nose). The most frequent pathology for the 70% of injuries corresponding to BCC was solid nodular and 22% of injuries related to SCC, moderately differentiated large cell being most commonly occurring one. The injuries had 2 cm average size; the most used surgical procedures were graft plus resection (44.1%), followed by local flap plus resection (23.5%). 5% percent of the patients had had prior injuries and one in four had had some type of relapse. Conclusions. The statistics for skin cancer (BCC and SCC) in Colombia have a similar behavior pattern to that reported in the literature; prognosis depends on appropriate diagnosis and treatment, as well as opportune intervention regarding risk factors.

Keywords : carcinoma; basal cell; squamous cell; morbidity; neoplasms by histologic type.

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