Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer in the Population of the City of Belgrade in the Period 1999–2011

Abstract

Introduction Nonmelanoma skin cancers in the literature are mainly related to basal cell and squamous cell skin carcinoma.

Objective The aim of the study was to determine the trend in the incidence of histological types of nonmelanoma skin cancers in the population of the city of Belgrade from 1999 to 2011.

Methods From the Serbian National Cancer Registry we extracted all recorded cases of skin cancer in Belgrade from January 1st 1999 to December 31st 2011. Incidence rates were standardized by the method of direct standardization with the world population as the standard population. Trends and annual percentage change (APC) of incidence rate were calculated by performing joinpoint regression analyses.

Results Incidence rate of nonmelanoma skin cancer showed significantly increasing trend between 1999 and 2006 with APC of 8.6% (95% CI: 5.6–11.7), basal cell carcinoma increased with APC of 8.4% (95% CI: 5.2–11.6) and squamous cell skin carcinoma with APC of 9.33% (95% CI: 5.7–13.1). The incidence increased with age for both men and women, especially after the age of 60.

Conclusion Our results showed a continuously increasing incidence trend of both basal cell and squamous cell skin carcinomas in the population of the city of Belgrade between 1999 and 2011. Adequate primary and secondary prevention would certainly be successful in reducing this type of cancer in the future.

Keywords: nonmelanoma skin cancer; basal cell carcinoma; squamous cell skin carcinoma