Original paper
Skin cancer in the elderly – epidemiological, clinical and surgical treatment analysis of 254 patients

Introduction: The incidence of non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) and melanoma is increasing rapidly in the European population. There are only a few reports about cutaneous malignancy in the elderly population.

Aim: Epidemiological, clinical, histopathological and surgical treatment result analysis of skin cancers in patients over 75 years old.

Material and methods: A group of 254 patients over 75 years old operated on during 2002-2006 in the Department of Dermatology, Venerology and Allergology of the Medical University of Gdansk was included in the study. Sex ratio F/M was 1.2. The average age was 81.1 years old.

Results: Patients over 75 years old comprised 40% of all operated patients because of malignancy in the analyzed period. Non-melanoma skin cancer were diagnosed in 92.5% of cases, melanoma in 5.9%. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was the most common malignancy, diagnosed in 72% of the patients. The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was statistically significantly higher compared to the general population (20.5% vs. 10.9%; p = 0.0002). BCC/SCC ratio was 3.5. In 39 patients (16.6%) multiple NMSC were observed. Exposure to UV radiation was the most common (52%) risk factor of cutaneous malignancy. The local recurrence rate of NMSC was 5.51%.

Conclusions: The incidence of skin cancers in the northern Polish population over 75 years old is increasing. The clinical and histopathological profile of skin cancer in the elderly differs from the general population. Surgical treatment is safe and effective management in these cases.