Association between Blood Group and Nonmelanoma Skin Cancers (Basal Cell Carcinoma and Squamous Cell Carcinoma).

BACKGROUND: Development of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) has been associated with certain risk factors, but studies of the association between ABO blood group and NMSCs have been rare and inconclusive. The aim of this study was to assess the association of the previously known risk factors and blood group as a new potential risk factor in NMSCs. METHODS: The study included 401 patients, 202 men, and 199 women, which included 367 diagnosed cases of basal cell carcinoma and 148 diagnosed cases of squamous cell carcinoma. The control group consisted of 438 subjects, 198 men, and 240 women. A standardized questionnaire adapted for this targeted study was used. The relation between the dependent variable (NMSCs) and independent variables was investigated by logistic regression. RESULTS: Compared to the non AB blood group, the risk of developing NMSCs was significantly higher in the AB blood group (MOR = 2.28; 95% CI = 1.41-3.69). We established a logistic model that could best describe the probability of NMSCs development. CONCLUSION: Study results are expected to instigate basic research into the role of A and B antigens in normal skin epithelium, NMSCs etiopathogenesis, possible effect on metastatic potential and disease prognosis, potential tumor immunotherapy, and targeted detection and prevention in subjects at an increased risk of NMSCs development.

A Giant Basal Cell Carcinoma Misdiagnosed and Mistreated as a Chronic Venous Ulcer.

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cutaneous malignancy. Giant BCCs are quite rare. They can cause extensive local invasion, disfigurement, and metastasis. We present a case of a 58-year-old woman with an unrecognized and inadequately treated ulcerated giant BCC sized 12.5 × 10.0 cm that occurred on her left lower leg without any sign of metastasis. Neglect and inadequate treatment of the primary lesion are the most important contributing factors responsible for size in giant BCC.

Descriptive epidemiology of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in Croatia.

The aim of the study was to investigate the squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) incidence in Croatia in the 2003-2005 period. The cases of SCC were retrospectively studied. Data were collected from University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Center and National Cancer Registry. In the study period, there were 1,860 cases of SCC (934 men and 926 women). The crude incidence rate for the Croatian population of 100,000 was 14.6 for men and 13.4 for women. The age-standardized incidence rate (adjusted for the world standard population) was 8.9 for men and 5.2 for women. The head was almost exclusive localization of SCC in both sexes. The highest SCC incidence was recorded in Zadar County. These results will serve for the SCC trend monitoring in Croatia and Europe in the forthcoming years.

Skin cancers in Croatia, 2003-2005: epidemiological study.

This study presents the incidence of major nonmelanoma skin cancers (major NMSCs), other nonmelanoma skin cancers (other NMSCs) and malignant melanoma (MM) in Croatia. The skin cancers recorded between 1 January 2003 and 31 December 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. Until 2003, the incidence of major NMSCs and other NMSCs was not estimated in Croatia. Incident cases of NMSCs were identified by the use of a questionnaire distributed to dermatology departments in Croatia and then collected at the University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Center, and from the records kept at the National Cancer Registry. Incident cases of MM were extracted from the National Cancer Registry. During the 3-year period, 9,479 cases of major NMSCs are recorded, 4,622 (49%) in male and 4,857 (51%) in female patients. The crude incidence rate was 72.1/100,000 for males and 70.3/100,000 for females. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was the most common major NMSC in both sexes. In the total number of major NMSCs, there were 7,244 cases of BCC. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the second most common major NMSC. There were 1,860 SCC cases. The crude incidence rate was 54.9/100,000 for BCC in males, 53.9/100,000 in females, and 14.6/100,000 for SCC in male and 13.4/100,000 in female patients. Other NMSCs were registered in 119 cases (53% male and 47% female). The crude incidence rate was 0.9/100,000 for male and 0.8/100,000 for female patients. MM was registered in 1,427 cases (48% male and 52% female.) The crude incidence rate was 10.7/100,000 for males and females. These results will serve as reference for studying the patterns of descriptive epidemiology of major NMSCs, other NMSCs and MM in Croatia and Europe in the forthcoming years.

The incidence of basal cell carcinoma in Croatia: an epidemiological study.

The aim of the study was to investigate the basal cell carcinoma (BCC) incidence in Croatia in the 2003-2005 period. Data were collected from University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Center and National Cancer Registry. The age-specific incidence rate and age-standardized incidence rate were calculated per 100,000 inhabitants according to the latest population census in Croatia from 2001. In the study period, there were 7,244 BCC cases (3,519 men and 3,725 women) in Croatia. The crude incidence rate for the Croatian population of 100,000 was 54.9 for men and 53.9 for women. The age-standardized incidence rate (adjusted for the world standard population) was 33.6 for men and 24.5 for women. The head and neck were almost exclusive localizations of BCC. The highest BCC incidence was recorded in Zadar County. The incidence of BCC was high in both littoral and inland counties of Croatia. Study results will serve as reference figures on studying the trend of BCC incidence in Croatia and Europe in the forthcoming years.

Epidemiology of nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancer in Zagreb, Croatia.

The purpose of this retrospective and hospital-based study was to evaluate the epidemiology of nonmelanoma and melanoma skin cancer at University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Center and School of Medicine during the 2003-2006 period. The study yielded population based results on 2911 cases of skin tumors in 2402 patients out of 16938 biopsies performed at Laboratory of Dermatologic Histopathology, University Department of Dermatology and Venereology, Zagreb University Hospital Center nd School of Medicine during the study period. All newly diagnosed invasive and in situ skin cancers were recorded by use of the histopathology record forms. Basal cell carcinoma was most commonly identified in the histopathology material (n=2002), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (n=533), melanoma (n=46) and cutaneous lymphoma (n=35). Other, less common tumors were noted. The number of tumors, and differences in age, sex and localization were analyzed. During the study period, there was no increase in the total number of cases recorded: 4305, 4202, 4116 and 4315, respectively. Study results showed skin tumors to be mostly diagnosed in elderly population (median age, 71 years). There were no significant sex differences, with the exception of the adult age group in 2006. As expected, skin tumors were mostly found in sun-exposed areas with some specific localization of individual tumor types. Study results were consistent with recent literature data.

What do we really know about "tinea incognita"?

The term "tinea incognita" refers to diverse clinical presentation of mycotic infections modified by inappropriate use of topical or systemic corticosteroids. A 67-year-old male patient with a five-year history of generalized erythematous plaques on the trunk and extremities, previously treated with topical corticosteroids, is described. The lesions mainly showed a psoriasiform, some eczematous appearance, few of them showing a clinical picture of folliculitis. The native mycologic specimen was negative. The diagnosis was made on the basis of mycologic culture finding of Trichophyton interdigitale growth. Systemic and topical antimycotic therapy administered for two months resulted in complete regression of skin lesions.

Xanthoma disseminatum: case report.

Xanthoma disseminatum is a rare, benign, non-Langerhans' cell histiocytic disorder of unknown etiology. A case is presented of a 71-year-old man with a three-year history of disseminated symmetric yellowish papules and plaques on the skin of the face, neck, flexor regions, trunk, extremities and oral mucosa, with fatty infiltration of the liver and pancreas, and cardiac complaints. Xanthomatous rhinophyma predominated on the face. Clinical, immunohistochemistry and histology findings indicated the diagnosis of xanthoma disseminatum. Although the patient had a positive family history of cardiovascular diseases and a number of symptoms that are often associated with hyperlipidemia, repeat plasma levels were always within the normal limits. The case was interesting because of a number of etiologic factors that could be connected with the appearance of xanthomas in our patient. Therefore it was difficult to classify the disease into one of well-defined nosologic entities. The case report is supplemented with a review of relevant literature.