BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Caucasians. It is estimated that there are one million new cases a year of nonmelanoma skin cancer (Basal Cell Carcinoma - BCC and Squamous Cell Carcinoma - SCC) all over the world. Regarding skin tumors, BCC is the most frequent. Among precancerous lesions, Actinic Keratosis - AK is the most common. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence and parts of the body most affected by cancerous skin lesions and also Actinic Keratosis in our environment. METHODS: Retrospective study that analyzed skin biopsies of 491 patients with a diagnosis of AK, BCC, SCC or melanoma, resulting in 531 diagnoses registered by Pathologic Anatomy Service of Evangelical Hospital in Curitiba during 2002. RESULTS: Regarding sex, 270 were female (54.99%) and 221 were male (45.01%). BCC (58.46% - 114/195) and melanoma (61.5% - 16/26) were most prevalent among females, as well as AK dermatosis (60.79% - 107/176). SCC were prevalent in males (64.39% - 61/94). From 531 diagnoses, 62.90% (334) were malignant skin tumors. The most common tumor was BCC (39.74% - 211). In relation to dermatosis, 37.10% (197) corresponded to AK. The mean age was 59.81 years old. In relation to the location of the lesions, there was a higher occurrence in the cephalic extremity with 50.47% (268) of the cases. The most affected areas (11.50% - 3/26) in melanoma were the malar region, back and feet. CONCLUSIONS: BCC was the most common tumor. The prevalence was higher in the 6th decade of life. Females were most affected. Cephalic extremity was the most common location among the studied lesions, except for melanoma, which prevailed in the malar region back and feet.
skin neoplasms; epidemiology; keratosis
