Vitamin D and Skin Cancer: A Controversial Society. Literature Update and Review. / Vitamina D y cáncer cutáneo: una asociación controvertida. Actualización y revisión de la literatura.

Vitamin D (VD) deficiency has been associated with various tumors. However, the association between VD and skin cancer is controversial. Although in non-melanoma skin cancer, adequate or even high levels of VD can be associated with a higher risk of developing tumors, this could be biased by the direct association between sun exposure and VD levels. Regarding melanoma, results are contradictory. Most studies analyzed state that higher levels of VD could reduce the risk of melanoma, be associated with melanomas with better prognosis and with an enhanced antitumor response, and also with fewer adverse events associated with melanoma immunotherapy. However, prospective studies of adequate methodological quality are still needed to assess the association between VD levels and its supplementation and development/prognosis in skin cancer.

[[Translated article]]Dermoscopy of Squamous Cell Carcinoma: From Actinic Keratosis to Invasive Forms. / Dermatoscopia del carcinoma epidermoide: de la queratosis actínica a las formas invasivas.

When performing the dermoscopy of squamous cell carcinoma and its precursors we differentiate among keratin-related, vascular, and pigment-related criteria. Non-pigmented actinic keratoses are characterized by the "strawberry pattern". Pigmented actinic keratosis shows a significant dermatoscopic overlap with lentigo maligna, but the presence of pigmented scales, erythema, and prominent follicles favors its diagnosis. Bowen's disease is characterized by clustered glomerular vessels, white-yellowish scales, and brown or grey dots arranged in lines in its pigmented variant. Finally, dermoscopy allows us to detect invasive squamous cell carcinoma in its early stages and differentiate it from its precursors. Furthermore, its presentation may vary depending on the degree of differentiation, with keratin-associated criteria predominating in well-demarcated tumors, while the atypical vascular pattern will predominate in poorly differentiated tumors.

Risk of a Second Skin Cancer in a Cohort of Patients With Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer -Basal Cell Carcinoma or Squamous Cell Carcinoma-Treated With Mohs Micrographic Surgery: A National Prospective Cohort Study. / Riesgo de aparición de segundas neoplasias cutáneas en una cohorte de pacientes diagnosticados de carcinoma queratinocítico (carcinoma basocelular y carcinoma epidermoide) tratados con cirugía de Mohs. Estudio de cohortes prospectivo nacional.

OBJECTIVE: Patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC)-ie, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)-have an increased risk of developing a second skin cancer. The aim of this study was to describe the frequency, incidence per 1000 person-years, and predictors of a second skin cancer in a cohort of patients with NMSC treated with Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS). MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective study of a national cohort of patients with NMSC who underwent MMS at 22 Spanish hospitals between July 2013 and February 2020; case data were recorded in the REGESMOHS registry. The study variables included demographic characteristics, frequency and incidence per 1000 person-years of second skin cancers diagnosed during the study period, and risk factors identified using mixed-effects logistic regression. RESULTS: We analyzed data for 4768 patients who underwent MMS; 4397 (92%) had BCC and 371 (8%) had SCC. Mean follow-up was 2.4 years. Overall, 1201 patients (25%) developed a second skin cancer during follow-up; 1013 of the tumors were BCCs (21%), 154 were SCCs (3%), and 20 were melanomas (0.4%). The incidence was 107 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 101-113) for any cancer, 90 per 1000 person-years (95% CI, 85-96) for BCC, 14 (95% CI, 12-16) per 1000 person-years for SCC, and 2 (95% CI, 1-3) per 1000 person-years for melanoma. More men than women developed a subsequent skin cancer (738 [61%] vs 463 [39%]). The main risk factors were a history of multiple tumors before diagnosis (relative risk [RR], 4.6; 95% CI, 2.9-7.1), immunosuppression (RR, 2.1; 95% CI, 1.4-3.1), and male sex (RR, 1.6; 95% CI, 1.4-1.9). CONCLUSION: Patients have an increased risk of developing a second tumor after MMS treatment of NMSC. Risk factors are a history of multiple tumors at diagnosis, immunosuppression, and male sex.

Novel Additions to the AJCC's New Staging Systems for Skin Cancer. / Los nuevos sistemas de estadificación del AJCC incorporan novedades en el cáncer cutáneo.

The eighth edition of the staging manual of the American Joint Committee on Cancer incorporates important changes in the classification of skin cancers. Coming 40 years after the first edition, the latest manual preserves its specific system for Merkel cell carcinoma and takes into account recent publications on the prognosis of squamous cell carcinoma by defining a completely new T category for this neoplasm. Staging for squamous cell carcinoma considers head and neck tumors (excluding the eyelid) and does not offer solutions for other sites except the vulva, penis, and perianal region. Regarding melanoma, use of the mitotic index has been eliminated and the prognosis of the primary tumor is based on Breslow thickness and ulceration. In addition, thickness is now recorded to an accuracy of 0.1mm, and the T0 concept has been introduced to define those metastatic melanomas in which the primary tumor has regressed completely. In this new edition, changes have also been made to the N category of all the skin cancer staging systems, and M1d has been added to the M category for melanoma to refer to metastatic involvement of the central nervous system, which, up to now, had been included in the M1c category. This new system will need to be validated with patient series to determine if it adequately satisfies the objective of tumor risk stratification.

Characterization of Surgical Procedures in the Spanish Mohs Surgery Registry (REGESMOHS) for 2013-2015. / Descripción de las intervenciones quirúrgicas recogidas en el registro español de cirugía de Mohs (REGESMOHS) (2013-2015).

INTRODUCTION: The Spanish Mohs Surgery Registry is used to collect data on the use and outcomes of Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) in Spain. The aim of this study was to describe perioperative and intraoperative data recorded for MMS procedures performed between July 2013 (when the registry started) and January 2016. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Prospective cohort study of data from 18 hospitals. The data collected included type of anesthesia, surgical technique, hospital admission, number of Mohs stages, management of preoperative risk factors, additional treatments, previous treatments, type of tumor, operating time, and complications. RESULTS: Data were available for 1796 operations. The most common tumor treated by MMS was basal cell carcinoma (85.96%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (6.18%), lentigo maligna (2.81%), and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (1.97%). Primary tumors accounted for 66.9% of all tumors operated on; 19.2% of tumors were recurrent and 13.9% were persistent. The most common previous treatment was surgical. MMS was mostly performed under local anesthesia (86.7% of cases) and as an outpatient procedure (71.8%). The frozen section technique was used in 89.5% of cases. One stage was needed to achieve tumor-free margins in 56.45% of patients; 2 stages were required in 32.1% of patients, 3 in 7.1%%, 4 in 2.7%, and 5 or more in 1.8%. The defect was reconstructed by the dermatologist in 98% of patients and the most common technique was flap closure (47.2%). Intraoperative complications were recorded for just 1.62% of patients and the median (interquartile range) duration of surgery was 75 (60-100) minutes. CONCLUSION: The characteristics of the patients and tumors treated by MMS are similar to those reported for similar studies in other geographic areas. Lentigo maligna and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans accounted for a higher proportion of cases in our series, and repair of the surgical defect by a dermatologist was also more common. Operating times in MMS are not much longer than those reported for other procedures and the rate of intraoperative complications is very low.

Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Clinical and Pathological Features and Associated Risk Factors in an Observational Study of 118 Patients.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: In the latest edition of its cancer staging manual, the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) revised the criteria for staging squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) by introducing high-risk tumor features to define tumor stage (T) and help to identify tumors with a higher risk of metastasis. The aim of this study was to investigate the characteristics associated with SCC meeting the high-risk criteria defined by the AJCC for T2 lesions. PATIENTS AND METHOD: We performed a case-case observational study in which patients with SCC were included over a period of 18 months. We collected clinical, anthropometric, and tumor data, and analyzed these using PASW Statistics (SPSS) version 18. RESULTS: One-hundred eighteen patients, the majority of whom were men, were included. Mean age was 77 years. Over 70% of the tumors were located in the head region and a majority of tumors measured 2 cm or less. The prevalence of SCC T2 was 61.9%. The risk factors significantly associated with SCC T2 were an age of over 85 years (odds ratio [OR], 4.48), location in the head and neck region (OR, 3.38), presence of solar elastosis in the peritumoral tissue (OR, 2.08), a higher tumor growth rate (>1.5 mm·wk(-1); OR, 5.73), and higher cumulative exposure to smoking (>20 pack-years, OR, 3.63). CONCLUSIONS: Advanced age, location in the head and neck region, presence of solar elastosis, high tumor growth rate, and high cumulative smoking exposure were all significantly associated with the presence of SCC T2.

Detection of human papillomavirus in nonmelanoma skin cancer lesions and healthy perilesional skin in kidney transplant recipients and immunocompetent patients.

BACKGROUND: The influence of human papillomavirus (HPV) on the development of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is a topic of debate. HPV types from the beta genus (HPV-ß) have been most frequently associated with the development of skin cancer. OBJECTIVES: To analyze the prevalence and range of HPV types in NMSC lesions and healthy perilesional skin in immunodepressed and immunocompetent patients and to evaluate the influence of various clinical factors on the prevalence of HPV in skin cancer. METHODS: Nested polymerase chain reaction and sequencing were used to detect HPV in 120 NMSC samples obtained by biopsy from 30 kidney transplant recipients and 30 immunocompetent patients. In all cases, a sample was taken from the tumor site and the surrounding healthy skin. Potential confounders were assessed and the data analyzed by multivariate logistic regression. RESULTS: HPV DNA was detected in 44 (73.3%) of the 60 samples from immunodepressed patients and in 32 (53.3%) of the 60 samples from immunocompetent patients (adjusted odds ratio, 3.4; 95% CI, 1.2-9.6). In both groups of patients, HPV was more common in healthy perilesional skin than in lesional skin. HPV-ß was the most common type isolated. CONCLUSION: We found a wide range of HPV types (mostly HPV-ß) in the skin of kidney transplant recipients and immunocompetent patients with skin cancer.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the ear canal infiltrating the temporal bone: A case report. / Carcinoma de células escamosas del conducto auditivo que infiltra al hueso temporal: a propósito de un caso.

Squamous cell carcinoma of the ear canal is an entity that arises from the stratum spinosum; it is a rare neoplasm, with a low incidence presenting 1 to 6 cases per million inhabitants, so there is little literature on this pathology. The clinical presentation of temporal bone cancer is usually nonspecific, meaning that its diagnosis is always a late-stage discovery. The definitive diagnosis requires biopsy of the lesion for histopathological and immunohistochemical study to establish the behaviour and the degree of differentiation. We present the case of an adult female patient with a clinical history of osteoporosis, diagnosed with chronic otitis media of the left ear of years of evolution, accompanied by purulent secretion of the same ear that did not respond to multiple treatment regimens. The patient also presented with a headache of left temporal predominance refractory to conventional analgesia. Cranial CT scans showed an osteolytic lesion of the left temporal bone with dural invasion. After resection and biopsy of the lesion, moderately differentiated squamous cell carcinoma was confirmed.

Risk Factors and Mortality in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck. / Factores de riesgo y mortalidad del carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo de cabeza y cuello.

The variant of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, known as high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma, has a higher incidence of metastasis. Certain characteristics define this high-risk tumor and are predictors of increased risk of metastasis, although the risk factors are not yet well established. This observational retrospective study of 392 cases of high-risk cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck explored the tumor risk factors for metastasis and the association between metastasis and death. The only factor with a significant positive association with mortality was tumor invasion of noncutaneous structures. A total of 6.6% of the tumors metastasized, and mortality was 30.8%. These findings are consistent with observations reported in the literature.

A review of terms used to define cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with a poor prognosis. / Revisión de los términos que definen un carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo asociado a mal pronóstico.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC) is the second most common cancer in humans and its incidence is both underestimated and on the rise. cSCC is referred to in the literature as high-risk cSCC, locally advanced cSCC, metastatic cSCC, advanced cSCC, and aggressive cSCC. These terms can give rise to confusion and are not always well defined. In this review, we aim to clarify the concepts underlying these terms with a view to standardizing the description of this tumor, something we believe is necessary in light of the new drugs that have been approved or are in development for cSCC.

Perineural Invasion in Cutaneous Squamous Cell Carcinoma. / Invasión perineural en el carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo.

Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma is sometimes characterized by an increased risk of locoregional recurrence and occasionally distant metastasis. Several clinical and pathological factors, including perineural invasion, have been shown to have prognostic value in this setting. Perineural invasion, that is, the spread of tumor cells into the space surrounding a nerve, is usually an incidental finding. In the presence of symptoms or radiographic evidence of perineural spread, the diagnosis is clinical perineural invasion, which is associated with an increased risk of local recurrence and mortality.

Cervical metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Therapeutic options.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with bulky metastases of squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck represent a challenge for the therapeutic decision; balance between oncological control and complications should be achieved. The therapeutic sequence has no impact on survival but sequelae. OBJECTIVE: We analyze the oncological results in patients with bulky metastases on the neck treated with induction chemotherapy and with up-front neck dissection. METHOD: Retrospective analysis of patients undergoing treatment for cervical lymph node metastasis of squamous cell carcinoma; The therapeutic sequence was decided based on volume, resectability, site, and size of the primary and general condition of the patient. Overall survival was calculated based on human papilloma virus (HPV) status. RESULTS: There were 30 patients, 22 men and eight women with a mean age of 57 years, 10 N3 and 20 N2. In 13 the HPV was positive, in 5 negative and in 12 the determination was not made. Seven patients were treated with initial chemotherapy, and 23 underwent neck dissection; the 5-year survival was 25%, and the prognosis was better in the positive HPV. CONCLUSION: The treatment of cervical metastasis depends on the possibility of resection. We should favor the initial surgery. The HPV is a factor of good prognosis.

INTRODUCCIÓN: Los pacientes con metástasis voluminosas de carcinoma epidermoide de cabeza y cuello representan un reto para la decisión terapéutica; se debe lograr un equilibrio entre el control oncológico y las complicaciones. La secuencia terapéutica no tiene impacto en la supervivencia, pero sí en las secuelas. OBJETIVO: Conocer los resultados oncológicos de pacientes con metástasis en el cuello tratados con cirugía inicial y con quimioterapia de inducción. MÉTODO: Análisis retrospectivo de pacientes sometidos a tratamiento por metástasis ganglionares cervicales de carcinoma epidermoide. La secuencia terapéutica se decidió basándose en el volumen, la resecabilidad, el sitio y el tamaño del tumor primario, y el estado general del paciente. Se calculó la supervivencia global y según el estado de portador o no del virus del papiloma humano (VPH). RESULTADOS: Se incluyeron 30 pacientes, 22 hombres y 8 mujeres, con una media de edad de 57 años. En cuanto al estadio, 10 eran N3 y 20 eran N2. En 13 el VPH fue positivo, en 5 fue negativo y en 12 no se efectuó la determinación. Siete pacientes fueron tratados con quimioterapia inicial y 23 fueron sometidos a disección de cuello. La supervivencia a 5 años fue del 25% y el pronóstico fue mejor en los VPH positivos. CONCLUSIÓN: El tratamiento de las metástasis cervicales depende de su resecabilidad. Hay que favorecer la cirugía inicial. El VPH es un factor de buen pronóstico.

Incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer in patients treated with psoralen and ultraviolet A therapy. / Incidencia de cáncer cutáneo distinto del melanoma en pacientes tratados con PUVA oral.

INTRODUCTION: Studies reporting incidences of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) are heterogeneous, depend on the geographic area of the studied population and are often short-term. The aim of this study is to determine the incidence of NMSC in patients treated with oral PUVA therapy in the Mediterranean area. MATERIAL AND METHODS: A retrospective, observational study was carried out with a sample of 234 patients treated with systemic PUVA between 1982 and 1996, carrying out a historical follow-up until May 2017. The incidencedensity rate of CCNM (crude and adjusted) was calculated by direct standardisation. The incidence of CCNM was compared with that reported in the general population in a similar geographical area. RESULTS: 50 neoplasms were diagnosed in 22 patients. The prevalence of CCNM in patients treated with phototherapy was 10.3%. The mean follow-up time was 21 years. The crude-adjusted incidence density rate of CCNM was 554.4-183.9 cases/100,000 treated patients per year. The crude-adjusted incidence density rate of basal cell carcinoma was 352.3-111.2 cases/100.000 patients and of squamous cell carcinoma was 229-77.7 cases /100,000 patients. CONCLUSION: PUVA therapy is associated with an increased risk of CCNM inthe Mediterranean population.

Behavior of squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth. Is supraomohyoid neck dissection sufficiently safe to manage clinically N0 patients?

AIM: The main aim of the present report is to study the behavior of SCC of the floor of the mouth. MATERIALS AND METHOD: A retrospective analysis was conducted using the records of patients diagnosed with squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth between 2000 and 2012 in the HUVN. Ninety-three patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the floor of the mouth treated with tumourectomy and selective neck dissection were included in the study. The pattern of distribution of cervical metastases and numerous histological features such as T-stage, N stage, surgical margins, tumor thickness, ECS (extracapsular spread) and vascular invasion were analyzed. RESULTS: Level I was the most affected level, followed by Level II. T stage, tumor thickness, and surgical margins showed a strong relationship with the risk of developing a local or cervical failure at follow-up. Overall survival was 52.7%. T stage, tumor thickness, N stage, recurrence, extracapsular spread, and vascular invasion were also associated with a poor prognosis. CONCLUSIONS: SCC of the floor of the mouth is an aggressive disease even at early stages. Due to the low rate of positive nodes observed at level IV and V in clinically N0 patients, supraomohyoid neck dissection might be considered sufficiently safe in this group.

Uso del músculo temporal en reconstrucción periorbitaria post exéresis de carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo del globo ocular izquierdo / Use of the temporal muscle in post exeresis periorbital reconstruction of cutaneous epidermoid carcinoma of the left eyeball

Introducción. El carcinoma epidermoide cutáneo (CEC) es la segunda neoplasia cutánea más frecuente después del carcinoma basocelular. La incidencia del CEC ha aumentado de forma considerable durante los últimos 20 años y predicen un incremento en la próxima década. La mayoría de los CEC están localizados y se resuelven habitualmente mediante la extirpación quirúrgica u otros procedimientos locales. El uso del músculo temporal es una alternativa quirúrgica para corregir el defecto periorbitario tras la extirpación del CEC. Objetivo. Evaluar el resultado de la cobertura del músculo temporal en la corrección del defecto periorbitario. Material y métodos. Se presenta un caso quirúrgico de un paciente masculino, 62 años, que presenta una gran lesión tumoral que compromete el globo ocular, región orbitaria y periorbitaria izquierda, acompañado de dolor, anemia, astenia y pérdida ponderal de aproximadamente 20 libras. Con una evolución de 6 años. Conclusión. El uso del músculo temporal es una alternativa eficaz en la reconstrucción de lesiones craneofaciales, que ha sido utilizado por más de 100 años.

Introduction. Skin epidermoid carcinoma (SEC) is the second most common skin neoplasm after basal cell carcinoma. The incidence of SEC has increased considerably over the past 20 years and predicts an increase over the next decade. Most SECs are located and usually resolved by surgical removal or other local procedures. The use of the temporal muscle is a surgical alternative to correct the peri-orbital defect after removal of the SEC. Objective. To evaluate the result of temporal muscle coverage in the correction of the peri-orbital defect. Material and methods. There is a surgical case of a male patient, 62 years old who has a large tumor injury that compromises the eyeball, orbital region and left periorbital. Accompanied by pain, anemia, asthenia, and weight loss approximately 20 pounds. With an evolution of 6 years. Conclusion. The use of the temporalis muscle is an effective alternative in the reconstruction of craniofacial lesions that has been used for more than 100 years

Functional Surgery for Malignant Subungual Tumors: A Case Series and Literature Review. / Cirugía funcional en tumores malignos subungueales. Serie de casos y revisión de la literatura.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: Amputation is the conventional treatment for malignant subungual tumors (MSUTs), namely, subungual squamous cell carcinoma (SUSCC) and subungual melanoma (SUM). Functional surgery consisting of wide local excision (WLE) of the nail unit can preserve function without modifying prognosis in such cases. We present a series of MSUTs treated with WLE of the nail unit, describe the technique, and review its indications. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Retrospective observational study of MSUTs treated with WLE of the nail unit between 2008 and 2017. The technique consisted of en bloc supraperiosteal excision of the nail unit with a margin of 5mm followed by repair with a full-thickness graft. RESULTS: Eleven MSUTs were treated in the study period: 7 SUMs (4 in situ; mean thickness, 1.17mm; range, 0-4mm) and 4 SUSCCs (mean thickness, 3.4mm; range, 1.6-6mm). WLE of the nail unit was performed in 9 patients and amputation in 2 patients with invasive SUM. Mean follow-up was 39 months (range, 12-96 months) and no local or regional recurrences were detected. One of the 2 patients who underwent amputation developed metastasis to the brain and died. In our review of the literature, we identified 5 series of patients with SUSCC treated with WLE of the nail unit (105 patients) and 14 series of patients with SUM (243 patients). Based on an analysis of these cases and ours, it would appear that WLE of the nail unit is associated with a very low rate of local recurrence (<7%) and offers better functional and cosmetic outcomes than amputation. CONCLUSIONS: WLE of the nail unit is the treatment of choice for SUSCC without bone involvement and for thin noninvasive SUM (Breslow depth <1mm). It is also feasible in intermediate-thickness SUMs when detailed histologic examination of the margins confirms complete resection. Amputation, by contrast, is the treatment of choice for SUSCCs with bone involvement, very thick SUMs (>4mm), and recurrent tumors.

Experience With Vismodegib in the Treatment of Advanced Basal Cell Carcinoma at a Cancer Center. / Experiencia con vismodegib en carcinoma basocelular avanzado en un centro oncológico.

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Vismodegib is the first selective Hedgehog inhibitor approved for the treatment of locally advanced and metastatic basal cell carcinoma (BCC). In this article, we describe our experience with the use of this drug to treat advanced and/or multiple BCCs at a cancer center over 5 years. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We analyzed the following variables: patient age and sex; tumor location, size, type, and characteristics; time since onset; primary or recurrent status; duration of treatment; response to treatment (complete, partial, stabilization, or absence of response); adverse effects; and recurrences. RESULTS: We treated 22 patients, of whom 20 had locally advanced BCCs and 2 had metastatic BCCs with lymph node involvement. The treatment was administered over a mean of 11.8 months. Nine patients (41%) achieved complete response and 10 (45%) partial response. The disease was stabilized in 3 (14%). Two patients relapsed after a median of 21 months. The main adverse effects were dysgeusia, alopecia, and muscle cramps, all of which were mild. None of the patients developed squamous cell carcinoma in an area treated with vismodegib, although metatypical changes were observed after treatment. CONCLUSIONS: With a response rate of 96%, vismodegib is a safe and effective treatment for locally advanced BCC. Adverse effects are generally mild but they need to be taken into account owing to their high frequency.

Caracterización de pacientes con cáncer de pulmón en un servicio de neumología / Characterization of patients with lung cancer in a pneumology service i: en

Introducción: El cáncer de pulmón es un problema de salud pública a escala mundial y Cuba no está exenta de este. Objetivo: Caracterizar a los pacientes diagnosticados con cáncer de pulmón según variables clínicas, epidemiológicas y morfológicas. Métodos: Se realizó un estudio transversal, descriptivo y retrospectivo de los 145 adultos diagnosticados con cáncer de pulmón en el Servicio de Neumología del Hospital General Docente Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso de Santiago de Cuba, desde enero del 2018 hasta diciembre del 2019. A tal efecto, en el procesamiento estadístico se emplearon como medidas de resumen el porcentaje y la media para variables cualitativas y cuantitativas, respectivamente; asimismo, se aplicaron el coeficiente kappa para establecer el grado de concordancia entre datos y la prueba de independencia de la Χ2 para identificar asociación significativa entre los criterios de interés seleccionados (con p<0,05). Resultados: Se obtuvo un predominio del sexo masculino (62,1 %) y el grupo etario de 65-75 años (37,9 %). Respecto a la variedad histológica, resultó más frecuente el carcinoma epidermoide (42,7 %). El pulmón derecho fue el más afectado, específicamente su lóbulo superior (33,8 %); del mismo modo, existieron alteraciones morfológicas, como la infiltración bronquial (100,0 %), la irregularidad y el edema de la mucosa (con 98,5 % en cada caso) y la inflamación con engrosamiento de la pared bronquial (90,3 %). Conclusiones: La determinación de las características clínicas, epidemiológicas y morfológicas relacionadas con el cáncer de pulmón permite efectuar el correcto seguimiento de los pacientes y aplicar un adecuado protocolo terapéutico.

Introduction: Lung cancer is a public health problem worldwide and Cuba is not exempt from it. Objective: Characterize patients diagnosed with lung cancer according to clinical, epidemiological and morphological variables. Methods: A cross-sectional, descriptive and retrospective study was carried out on 145 adults diagnosed with lung cancer in the Pneumology Service of Dr. Juan Bruno Zayas Alfonso Teaching General Hospital in Santiago de Cuba, from January, 2018 to December, 2019. For this purpose, in the statistical processing, the percentage and mean were used as summary measures for qualitative and quantitative variables, respectively; Likewise, there were applied the kappa coefficient to establish the degree of agreement between data and the Χ2 independence test to identify a significant association between the selected criteria of interest (with p<0.05). Results: There was a predominance of the male sex (62.1%) and the age group of 65-75 years (37.9%). Regarding the histological type, squamous cell carcinoma was more common (42.7%). The right lung was the most affected, specifically its upper lobe (33.8%); also, there were morphological alterations, such as bronchial infiltration (100.0%), mucosal irregularity and edema (with 98.5% in each case), and inflammation with bronchial wall thickening (90.3%). Conclusions: The determination of the clinical, epidemiological and morphological characteristics related to lung cancer makes it possible to carry out the correct follow-up of the patients and apply an appropriate therapeutic protocol.