Incidence rates of squamous cell carcinoma in Central Poland — a descriptive analysis of available data

Abstract

Introduction: In recent years, the incidence of non-melanoma skin cancers has increased rapidly all over the world. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common malignant neoplasm in humans after basal cell carcinoma. Unfortunately, the cancer registry in Poland does not record SCC individually. Thus, the incidence of this neoplasm in a defined population is unknown.
Methods and materials: We have reviewed the clinical records of patients from the Dermatology and Venereology Department, Medical University of Lodz who were diagnosed with SCC by histopathology during the sixteen-year period from 1999 to 2015.
Results: The incidence of SCC was slightly increasing between 1999 and 2008, but levelled off in next years. The largest relative increase in cancers was observed for patients above 74 years. Anatomical site distribution differs according to age of patients. In older patients, most prevalent were face lesions, while clothed areas were more commonly involved in patients below 45 years. The study revealed characteristics of SCC regarding age, gender and localization.
Conclusions: SCC is quite common in our society. In recent years, the incidence rate has been levelling off. Nevertheless, the effective treatment is still very expensive. Moreover, the consistent international registration of this cancer should be applied worldwide.