Acessibilidade / Reportar erro

Squamous cell cancer – 31-year epidemiological study in a city of south Brazil* * Study carried out at the Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB) – Blumenau (SC), Brazil.

Abstract

BACKGROUND:

The incidence and morbidity of squamous cell cancers are increasing worldwide. Epidemiological studies with morbidity coefficients about this type of cancer are scarce in Brazil.

OBJECTIVES:

To determine morbidity coefficients, analyze and classify the squamous cell cancers diagnosed in the city of Blumenau - SC from 1980 to 2011, according to clinical and histological features.

METHODS:

The authors revised 4000 histopathological exams with respect to sex, age, anatomic site and histological type. The morbidity coefficients were calculated using the number of squamous cell cancers found and the annual population estimated by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics between 1980 and 2011.

RESULTS:

A total of 4000 tumors were identified, 2249 (56.2%) in male and 1751 (43.8%) in female patients. The standard incidence rates varied from 40 cases in 1980 to 120 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 2011. The morbidity above 70 years of age reached 1484 cases/100,000 inhabitants in male and 975 in female patients. As to primary anatomic site, we found more tumors on the lips and ears in male and on the face and legs in female patients. As to the degree of involvement, the more frequent were Well Differentiated Squamous cell carcinomas (70%) and Moderate Squamous cell carcinomas (19,1%). The Low Differentiated Squamous cell carcinomas, which represented those with the worst prognosis, were found in 4.5% of the tumors.

CONCLUSION:

Squamous cell cancers in Blumenau - SC have similar patterns of distribution regarding age, primary anatomic site and histological types as found in the international literature. The morbidity increased by 300% in the last 31 years, which indicates that we need to dedicate special attention to the older population.

Carcinoma, squamous cell; Epidemiology; Neoplasms


INTRODUCTION

Squamous Cell Cancers of the skin and vermilion border or lip semimucosa rank second in the incidence of malignant skin tumors, appearing in all statistics as reaching 20 % of total cases.1Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Harris AR, Hinckley MR, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB, et al. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States, 2006. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146:283-7.,2Cancer.org [Internet]. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. [cited 2013 Nov. 23]. Available from: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036845.pdf.
http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content...

In the United States, around 3.5 million nonmelanoma skin carcinomas are diagnosed every year, of which 700,000 are new cases of squamous cell carcinomas, resulting in 2500 deaths per year.1Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Harris AR, Hinckley MR, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB, et al. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States, 2006. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146:283-7.,2Cancer.org [Internet]. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. [cited 2013 Nov. 23]. Available from: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036845.pdf.
http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content...
,3Karia PS, Han J, Schmults CD. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: estimated incidence of disease, nodal metastasis, and deaths from disease in the United States, 2012. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;68:957-66.

In Australia, 138,000 new squamous cell carcinoma cases are expected per year, a number that is considered underestimated.4Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer in Australia: an overview 2012. AIHW cat no. 70. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2012.

In the United Kingdom, the nonmelanoma skin carcinomas are extremely common but with low mortality rate, reaching 99,000 cases in 2010.5Diepgen TL, Mahler V. The epidemiology of skin cancer. Br J Dermatol. 2002;146:1-6.,6Cantwell MM, Murray LJ, Catney D, Donnelly D, Autier P, Boniol M, et al. Second primary cancers in patients with skin cancer: a population-based study in Northern Ireland. Br J Cancer. 2009;100:174-7.,7National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN). Non-melanoma skin cancer in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. London: NCIN; 2013.

In 2012, it was estimated that, in Brazil, there would be 62,680 new cases of non melanoma skin carcinomas in men and 71,490 cases in women. These numbers correspond to an estimated risk of 65 new cases for every 100 thousand men and 71 for every 100 thousand women (according to Instituto Nacional do Câncer - INCA [National Cancer Institute]).8Inca.gov.br [Internet]. Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva. Coordenação Geral de Ações Estratégicas. Coordenação de Prevenção e Vigilância. Estimativa 2012: incidência de câncer no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: Inca, 2011. [acesso 23 Nov. 2013]. Disponível em: http/www.inca.gov.br/.
http/www.inca.gov.br/...

The ultraviolet radiation from indoor tanning salons plays an important role and was considered a carcinogenic factor by the World Health Organization (WHO).9Tanning industry exposed: Evidence demonstrates link between indoor tanning and skin cancer, dermatologists committed to educating public on risks. 5 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program. Report on carcinogens, 11th ed: Exposure to sunlamps or sunbeds.

The squamous cell carcinoma occurs in all body areas, including mucosas and genitals, but it is more common in areas exposed to ultraviolet radiation, such as the head, ears, neck and back of hands.1010 Grossman D, Leffell DJ. Squamous cell carcinoma. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith L, Katz S, Gilchrest B, Paller A, Leffell D, editors. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York: McGraw Hill Medical; 2008, p. 1028-36.0.

Other causes include chronic exposure to chemical products like tar, arsenic-contaminated water, use of herbicides, insecticides and tobacco.

Severe burns, chronic ulcers and some types of HPV (papillomavirus) are also considered carcinogenic.1010 Grossman D, Leffell DJ. Squamous cell carcinoma. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith L, Katz S, Gilchrest B, Paller A, Leffell D, editors. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York: McGraw Hill Medical; 2008, p. 1028-36.0.,1111 Pfister H. Chapter 8: Human papillomavirus and skin cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2003;31:52-6.

Although basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas are the most common types of skin cancer, they are easily treated when promptly detected. The percentage of cure is approximately 95% of cases, when early diagnosed and treated.1212 Christenson LJ, Borrowman TA, Vachon CM, Tollefson MM, Otley CC, Weaver AL, et al. Incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas in a population younger than 40 years. JAMA. 2005;294:681-90.,1313 Neville JA, Welch E, Leffell DJ. Management of nonmelanoma skin cancer in 2007. Nat Clin Pract Oncol. 2007;4:462-9.

Due to this high incidence, studies concerning their types, degree of involvement and epidemiology are important for prevention and early treatment of these tumors.

Vital statistics are focused on diseases that are almost always fatal and do not include much information about nonmelanoma skin cancers, such as basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas.

There are practically no records of basic measures of population morbidity concerning these cancers in global literature, since squamous cell skin and vermilion border cancers appear in statistics together with basal cell cancers and classified as nonmelanoma skin carcinomas.

In this study we analyzed squamous cell skin and vermilion border cancers diagnosed in Blumenau - SC in the period from 1980 to 2011, according to the main clinical and histological characteristics, taking into consideration sex, age, primary location and histological types.

The morbidity coefficients of skin squamous cell carcinoma were calculated for the period between 1980 and 2011, using only data from anatomopathological exams from the three existing laboratories in the city, excluding clinical cases not verified by means of laboratory tests and should, therefore, be regarded as underestimated.

Blumenau, a city in the south of Brazil located in the northeast of the state of Santa Catarina, 26º 55' 10" South latitude, 49º 03' 58" longitude, 21 meters above sea level altitude. In 2000 the studied population in Blumenau represented 4.89% of the population of Santa Catarina and 0.15% of the population of Brazil. 1414 Brasil. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Departamento da População e Indicadores Sociais. Gerência de Estudos e Análises da Dinâmica Demográfica. Estimativas para as Unidades da Federação obtidas pela Metodologia AiBi, controlada pela projeção Brasil- Revisão 2000 (método dos componentes demográficos). Brasília; 2009.

The results found allow us to show new data for Brazil and referentials for almost the entire southern region of the country, since we have a population predominantly white exposed to great intensity of ultraviolet radiation.

MATERIAL AND METHODS

This is an epidemiological cross-sectional study based on secondary data. The morbidity coefficients of skin and vermilion border squamous cell carcinoma for the city of Blumenau were calculated based on the annual population from 1980 to 2011, estimated by the Brazilian Institute of Geography and Statistics IBGE (Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística and review of cases histopathologicaly diagnosed in the pathological anatomy laboratories of the city, the Laboratório de Citologia, Imunopatologia e Anatomia Patológica - CIPAC (Citology, Immunopathology and Pathological Anatomy Laboratory), Pathology Diagnósticos em Medicina (Pathology Medical Diagnoses) and Laboratório Beatriz Moreira Leite (Beatriz Moreira Leite Laboratory - BML Pathology), between 1980 and 2011, in a total of 4000 cases of skin and vermilion border squamous cell cancers.1414 Brasil. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Departamento da População e Indicadores Sociais. Gerência de Estudos e Análises da Dinâmica Demográfica. Estimativas para as Unidades da Federação obtidas pela Metodologia AiBi, controlada pela projeção Brasil- Revisão 2000 (método dos componentes demográficos). Brasília; 2009.

Descriptive epidemiology was used to present the characteristics of the studied population. Case selection considered only those from the city of Blumenau, for greater fidelity in calculation of the morbidity coefficient.

This study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of the Regional University of Blumenau (Universidade Regional de Blumenau - FURB), according to protocol 019/2012.

Statistical Methodology

Data were organized in tables containing absolute and relative frequencies, as well as incidence rates. Rates were compared by means of the Chi-square Test. In all of the tests P < 0.05 was considered as statistically significant. The data were analyzed through the software EpiInfo version 7 from 2013.

RESULTS

In the period between 1980 and 2011 4000 primary cases of squamous cell carcinomas of the skin and lip semimucosa were reviewed in the 3 (three) laboratories of pathological anatomy in the city of Blumenau, without taking into account the clinical diagnoses; therefore the data found were considered as underestimated, although with an incidence epidemiological value not smaller than the actual one.

The distribution of cases according to gender was 2249 cases (56.2%) in male patients and 1751 cases (43.8%) in female patients.

Table 1 shows squamous cell carcinoma general incidence rates per 100,000 inhabitants, gross and adjusted, and standardized for the world population and by gender in the city of Blumenau, between 1980 and 2011.

TABLE 1
General and gender-specific squamous cell carcinoma incidence rates, gross and standardized for the global population in Blumenau - SC - Brazil from 1980 to 2011

We point out the gross general incidence rates of 82.6 and 108.7 cases of squamous cell carcinoma per 100,000 inhabitants/year in the years 1989 and 2011, respectively and the adjusted general incidence rates for the global population of 125.6 in 1989 and 110 in 2011. (Table 1)

As to incidence rates adjusted for the male sex, they reached 152 cases/100,000 inhabitants in 1989 and 123 in 2011. The incidence rates adjusted for the female sex were 104.5 in 1989 and 99 in 2011. (Table 1)

Regarding age groups, incidence rates were calculated per decade and we point out the greater incidence above 70 years of age, with 1484 cases/100,000 inhabitants in male patients in the 1980 decade and 718 cases/100,000 inhabitants in female patients in the period between 2000 and 2011(Table 2).

TABLE 2
Morbidity incidence rates* * per100,000/inhabitants. per age group and per decade of squamous cell carcinoma in the city of Blumenau - SC - Brazil from 1980 to 2011

Table 3 shows numerical and percentage distribution of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin and vermilion border, according to primary location on the skin where 43% (n= 1369) of cases were found on the face, reaching a total of 70% (n= 2232) on the head and 29.7% (n=949) on the trunk and limbs.

TABLE 3
Numerical and percentage distribution of squamous cell carcinoma according to primary skin location site and sex in Blumenau - SC - Brazil from 1980 to 2011

It should be observed that the incidence of squamous cell carcinomas found on the ear reached 6.7% (n= 107) in men and 2.6% (n= 42) in women.

Squamous cell cancers on the lips appear with a frequency much higher in men, with 5.2% (n= 82 ) of the casescompared with the lower lip of women, with 3% (n= 48).

Table 4 shows the percentage of squamous cell carcinomas of skin and vermilion border according to the degree of involvement and histological type. The most frequently found histological type among primary skin and vermilion border squamous cell cancers was the well-differentiated, with 70% (n=1610) of cases, while the moderately differentiated reached 19.2% (n=443). The little differentiated histological type appeared in 4.5%(n= 105) of the studied cases and the "in situ" in 1% (n=141).

TABLE 4
Numerical and percentage distribution of squamous cell carcinoma, according to histological type and sex, from 1980 to 2011 om Blumenau - SC - Brazil

DISCUSSION

Frequency and Incidence rates

This study considered only histopathological exams with definitive diagnosis of skin and vermilion border squamous cell carcinomas, in a total of 4000 cases; therefore, the data are underestimated, resulting in rates lower than they actually are (review of populational data), although high when compared with the incidence rates found in Brazil.

In Brazil, INCA (National Cancer Institute) estimated around 62,680 cases of nonmelanoma cancers for 2012, that corresponds to an estimated risk of 65 cases/100,000 inhabitants/year for men and 71 for women, and 80 for men and 68 for women in the southern region.8Inca.gov.br [Internet]. Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva. Coordenação Geral de Ações Estratégicas. Coordenação de Prevenção e Vigilância. Estimativa 2012: incidência de câncer no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: Inca, 2011. [acesso 23 Nov. 2013]. Disponível em: http/www.inca.gov.br/.
http/www.inca.gov.br/...

Our study shows that the gross incidence rate of squamous cell carcinomas in Blumenau increased from 31 to 108 cases per 100,000 inhabitants (300%) and the rate adjusted to the global standard increased from 50 to 110, much higher data than those predicted by INCA (Table 1).

In Tubarão, Santa Catarina, a study of 1437 histopathological reports found an incidence rate of squamous cell carcinoma that reached 136.7 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in 2009.1515 Corrêa LH, Popoaski CP, Custódio G, Gonçalves CO, Trevisol FS. Epidemiology of squamous cell carcinomas among the population attended in the city of Tubarão, Brazil, between 1999 and 2009. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:572-7.

In Australia, 138,000 cases of squamous cell carcinoma were found in 2008.4Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer in Australia: an overview 2012. AIHW cat no. 70. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2012.

In the United States, the squamous cell carcinoma ranked second as the most common skin cancer, with around 700,000 new cases diagnosed per year.1Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Harris AR, Hinckley MR, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB, et al. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States, 2006. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146:283-7.,2Cancer.org [Internet]. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. [cited 2013 Nov. 23]. Available from: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036845.pdf.
http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content...

The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma increased about 200% in the last 3 decades in the United States and approximately 2% of those affected die from this disease.3Karia PS, Han J, Schmults CD. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: estimated incidence of disease, nodal metastasis, and deaths from disease in the United States, 2012. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;68:957-66.

Actinic keratosis is the most common precancerous dermatosis; it currently affects 58 million Americans and 65% of squamous cell carcinomas were previously diagnosed as actinic keratoses.1616 Society for Investigative Dermatology, American Academy of Dermatology Association, The Lewen Group, Inc. The burden of skin diseases. Cleveland, Washington, D.C.; 2005.,1717 Criscione VD, Weinstock MA, Naylor MF, Luque C, Eide MJ, Bingham SF; et al. Actinic keratoses natural history and risk of malignant transformation in the Veterans Affairs Tropical Tretinoin Chemoprevention Trial. Cancer. 2009;115:2523-30.

Early diagnoses and treatment, mainly of precancerous skin lesions such as actinic keratoses, prevent their progression to squamous cell carcinoma, causing the incidence to decrease.

The treatment of actinic keratoses in dermatological outpatient clinics has decreased and/or maintained the incidence of skin and vermilion border squamous cell carcinomas in the city of Blumenau.

Sex

National and international literature shows that squamous cell cancer is more frequent in men than in women; in fact, it can even affect twice as many men as women.1Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Harris AR, Hinckley MR, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB, et al. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States, 2006. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146:283-7.,2Cancer.org [Internet]. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. [cited 2013 Nov. 23]. Available from: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036845.pdf.
http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content...
,1818 Aaad.org [Internet]. American Academy of Dermatology. Squamous Cell Carcinoma. [cited 2012 Aug 24]. Available from: http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatologya- to-z/squamous-cell-carcinoma.
http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/derma...
,1919 Quinn M, Wood H, Cooper N, Rowan S, editors. Cancer Atlas of the United Kingdom and Ireland 1991-2000. Studies on Medical and Population Subjects. No. 68. London: ONS; 2005.

In the United Kingdom, in a study with 99,549 non-melanoma carcinomas cases, 56 % were found in male and 44% in female patients.1919 Quinn M, Wood H, Cooper N, Rowan S, editors. Cancer Atlas of the United Kingdom and Ireland 1991-2000. Studies on Medical and Population Subjects. No. 68. London: ONS; 2005.,2020 National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN). Cancer Incidence and Mortality by Cancer Network, UK, 2005. London: NCIN; 2008.

In this study there were 2249 cases (56.2%) in male and 1751 cases (43.8%) in female patients, which is compatible with global and national literature.

In Germany we found, in a study covering the period between 1998 and 2001, the incidence of 1184 cases in men and 978 cases in women.2121 Katalinic A, Kunze U, Schaffer T. Epidemiology of cutaneous melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany: incidence, clinical subtypes, tumour stages and localization (epidemiology of skin cancer). Institute for Cancer Epidemiology, University of Lubeck, Beckergrube 43-47, 23552 Lubeck, Germany; 2011.

Age group

The incidence of non-melanoma cancers increases significantly with age, especially skin and vermilion border squamous cell carcinomas.1Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Harris AR, Hinckley MR, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB, et al. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States, 2006. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146:283-7.,2Cancer.org [Internet]. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. [cited 2013 Nov. 23]. Available from: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036845.pdf.
http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content...
,3Karia PS, Han J, Schmults CD. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: estimated incidence of disease, nodal metastasis, and deaths from disease in the United States, 2012. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;68:957-66.,4Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer in Australia: an overview 2012. AIHW cat no. 70. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2012.,1212 Christenson LJ, Borrowman TA, Vachon CM, Tollefson MM, Otley CC, Weaver AL, et al. Incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas in a population younger than 40 years. JAMA. 2005;294:681-90.,2222 Sasieni PD, Shelton J, Ormiston-Smith N, Thomson CS, Silcocks PB. What is the lifetime risk of developing cancer? The effect of adjusting for multiple primaries. Br J Cancer. 2011;105:460-5.

Squamous cell carcinomas of the skin and of the vermilion border reached alarming incidence rates for decades in the age group older than 60 years of age (Table 2).

The incidence by age group and by sex has been very high for decades in the age groups between 60 and 65 years of age and 70 and plus, reaching 1484 cases per 100,000 inhabitants in men older than 70 years of age and 975 in women of the same age group.

These numbers indicate the need for special attention to these age groups in the city of Blumenau.

The number of squamous cell carcinoma cases has also increased significantly in the population younger than 40 years of age.1212 Christenson LJ, Borrowman TA, Vachon CM, Tollefson MM, Otley CC, Weaver AL, et al. Incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas in a population younger than 40 years. JAMA. 2005;294:681-90.,2222 Sasieni PD, Shelton J, Ormiston-Smith N, Thomson CS, Silcocks PB. What is the lifetime risk of developing cancer? The effect of adjusting for multiple primaries. Br J Cancer. 2011;105:460-5.

Primary location

Most of the squamous cell carcinomas of the skin and vermilion border were found in exposed areas: head, face and neck, confirming what was found in the global literature (Table 3).1Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Harris AR, Hinckley MR, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB, et al. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States, 2006. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146:283-7.,2Cancer.org [Internet]. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. [cited 2013 Nov. 23]. Available from: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036845.pdf.
http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content...
,3Karia PS, Han J, Schmults CD. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: estimated incidence of disease, nodal metastasis, and deaths from disease in the United States, 2012. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;68:957-66.,2121 Katalinic A, Kunze U, Schaffer T. Epidemiology of cutaneous melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany: incidence, clinical subtypes, tumour stages and localization (epidemiology of skin cancer). Institute for Cancer Epidemiology, University of Lubeck, Beckergrube 43-47, 23552 Lubeck, Germany; 2011.,2222 Sasieni PD, Shelton J, Ormiston-Smith N, Thomson CS, Silcocks PB. What is the lifetime risk of developing cancer? The effect of adjusting for multiple primaries. Br J Cancer. 2011;105:460-5.

Exposed areas in men show a much higher incidence than covered areas in women; for example, the incidence in men's ears is much higher than in women, due to an important epidemiological factor: hair length covering women's ears, that is, natural protection against ultraviolet radiation, the main causal factor in the origin of these tumors (Table 3).1212 Christenson LJ, Borrowman TA, Vachon CM, Tollefson MM, Otley CC, Weaver AL, et al. Incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas in a population younger than 40 years. JAMA. 2005;294:681-90.,2222 Sasieni PD, Shelton J, Ormiston-Smith N, Thomson CS, Silcocks PB. What is the lifetime risk of developing cancer? The effect of adjusting for multiple primaries. Br J Cancer. 2011;105:460-5.

It is noteworthy that the squamous cell cancer is much more common in lips of men that in lips of women, probably connected with the smoking habit, which increases the risk for this type of skin cancer (Table 4).2121 Katalinic A, Kunze U, Schaffer T. Epidemiology of cutaneous melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany: incidence, clinical subtypes, tumour stages and localization (epidemiology of skin cancer). Institute for Cancer Epidemiology, University of Lubeck, Beckergrube 43-47, 23552 Lubeck, Germany; 2011.

In the study carried out in Tubarão - SC, higher incidences were found of squamous cell carcinoma in ears and lips of men compared with women.1515 Corrêa LH, Popoaski CP, Custódio G, Gonçalves CO, Trevisol FS. Epidemiology of squamous cell carcinomas among the population attended in the city of Tubarão, Brazil, between 1999 and 2009. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:572-7.

Race

In the census of 2000, the ethnic composition of the city was 247,527 (94.55%) white, 9171 (3.5%) mixed, 3042 (1.16%) afro-descendants, 340 (0.13%) indians and 252 (0.10%) yellow.1414 Brasil. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Departamento da População e Indicadores Sociais. Gerência de Estudos e Análises da Dinâmica Demográfica. Estimativas para as Unidades da Federação obtidas pela Metodologia AiBi, controlada pela projeção Brasil- Revisão 2000 (método dos componentes demográficos). Brasília; 2009.

The studied population is therefore 94.5 % white, most of them German and Italian descendants with skin phototypes I and II, according to the classification of Fitzpatrick (Fitzpatrick's Color Atlas & Synopsis of Clinical Dermatology). The incidence of squamous cell carcinomas is much higher in the white race with skin phototypes I and II, or most of the inhabitants of the city of Blumenau.

Solar radiation

It is well known that ultraviolet radiation is a most important risk factor for the onset of squamous cell carcinoma, and chronic exposure to the sun since early childhood has great relevance in the etiology of this skin cancer.2Cancer.org [Internet]. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. [cited 2013 Nov. 23]. Available from: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036845.pdf.
http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content...
,4Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer in Australia: an overview 2012. AIHW cat no. 70. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2012.,6Cantwell MM, Murray LJ, Catney D, Donnelly D, Autier P, Boniol M, et al. Second primary cancers in patients with skin cancer: a population-based study in Northern Ireland. Br J Cancer. 2009;100:174-7.,1010 Grossman D, Leffell DJ. Squamous cell carcinoma. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith L, Katz S, Gilchrest B, Paller A, Leffell D, editors. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York: McGraw Hill Medical; 2008, p. 1028-36.0.,1111 Pfister H. Chapter 8: Human papillomavirus and skin cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2003;31:52-6.,1212 Christenson LJ, Borrowman TA, Vachon CM, Tollefson MM, Otley CC, Weaver AL, et al. Incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas in a population younger than 40 years. JAMA. 2005;294:681-90.

The risk for development of squamous cell cancer is higher in whites, who never get tanned, have a tendency to get sunburned, have light hair and blue eyes.2Cancer.org [Internet]. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. [cited 2013 Nov. 23]. Available from: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036845.pdf.
http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content...
,4Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer in Australia: an overview 2012. AIHW cat no. 70. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2012.,6Cantwell MM, Murray LJ, Catney D, Donnelly D, Autier P, Boniol M, et al. Second primary cancers in patients with skin cancer: a population-based study in Northern Ireland. Br J Cancer. 2009;100:174-7.,1010 Grossman D, Leffell DJ. Squamous cell carcinoma. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith L, Katz S, Gilchrest B, Paller A, Leffell D, editors. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York: McGraw Hill Medical; 2008, p. 1028-36.0.,1111 Pfister H. Chapter 8: Human papillomavirus and skin cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2003;31:52-6.,1212 Christenson LJ, Borrowman TA, Vachon CM, Tollefson MM, Otley CC, Weaver AL, et al. Incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas in a population younger than 40 years. JAMA. 2005;294:681-90.

The greater the UVB radiation, the higher the incidence of skin cancers; this radiation also depends on the ozone layer, which filters ultraviolet radiation.2323 International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Solar and ultraviolet radiation. IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 1992;55:11.,2424 Environmental Protection Agency/Operational Satellites NOAA (EPA/NOAA). Experimental UVB-Index-2012.,2525 Reichrath J. Sunlight, Vitamin D and Skin Cancer. New York: Landes Bioscience and Springer Science+Business Media; 2008.

The white population of Blumenau, who are mainly German and Italian descendants with skin phototypes I and II, according to the classification of Fitzpatrick, is subject to intense radiation in the summer, when the UVB-Index is between 11.5 and 13.0, as per the National Institute of Space Research (Brazil) and very high according to the Environmental Protection Agency/Operational Satellites (EPA/NOOA) - United States, which makes this population subject to the main risk factors of non-melanoma carcinomas.1Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Harris AR, Hinckley MR, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB, et al. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States, 2006. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146:283-7.,2424 Environmental Protection Agency/Operational Satellites NOAA (EPA/NOAA). Experimental UVB-Index-2012.

Exposure to ultraviolet radiation-A, found in tanning salons, has been associated by epidemiological studies with the onset of skin cancers in its users and is therefore forbidden in Brazil.8Inca.gov.br [Internet]. Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva. Coordenação Geral de Ações Estratégicas. Coordenação de Prevenção e Vigilância. Estimativa 2012: incidência de câncer no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: Inca, 2011. [acesso 23 Nov. 2013]. Disponível em: http/www.inca.gov.br/.
http/www.inca.gov.br/...

The high incidence of squamous-cell carcinomas found in Blumenau has as important risk factors the high degree of ultraviolet radiation in that region (UVB-Index between 11.5 and 13 in summer) and the white population (94.5%), descendants of Germans and Italians from the north of Italy.

CONCLUSIONS

In a sample with 4000 cases of primary squamous-cell cancers of the skin and vermilion border diagnosed in a period of 31 years and with morbidity coefficients determined every year, we may verify:

Increase of morbidity coefficients by 300% between 1980 and 2011.

Relevant prevalence of the male sex.

The greater incidence was among those older than 60 years of age and absence among those under 18 years of age.

High incidence rates above 70 years of age, reaching 1484 cases/100,000 inhabitants - the highest rate ever registered in epidemiological studies in Brazil.

Predominant primary location on exposed areas.

The skin and vermilion border squamous-cell cancers with well-differentiated degree of involvement were the most often found.

According to the data found in this study, we conclude that the population of Blumenau, mostly white, with skin phototypes I and II, exposed to intense solar radiation is at a great risk of developing squamous-cell cancer.

These tumors constitute a public health hazard in the city of Blumenau. We suggest several actions in the Sanitary Education field for prevention, early diagnosis and treatment of the disease, increasing resolution and preventing more advanced cases that may metastasize.

Increased early diagnosis and treatment of actinic keratosis as well as education and prevention campaigns are the objectives of the dermatologists in the city of Blumenau to obtain control of this neoplasm.

  • Financial Support: None
  • How to cite this article: Nasser N, Nasser Filho N, Lehmkuhl RL. Squamous cell cancer – 31-year epidemiological study in a city of south Brazil. An Bras Dermatol. 2015;90(1):21-6.
  • *
    Study carried out at the Universidade Regional de Blumenau (FURB) – Blumenau (SC), Brazil.

REFERENCES

  • 1
    Rogers HW, Weinstock MA, Harris AR, Hinckley MR, Feldman SR, Fleischer AB, et al. Incidence estimate of nonmelanoma skin cancer in the United States, 2006. Arch Dermatol. 2010;146:283-7.
  • 2
    Cancer.org [Internet]. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2013. [cited 2013 Nov. 23]. Available from: http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036845.pdf.
    » http://www.cancer.org/acs/groups/content/@epidemiologysurveilance/documents/document/acspc-036845.pdf
  • 3
    Karia PS, Han J, Schmults CD. Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma: estimated incidence of disease, nodal metastasis, and deaths from disease in the United States, 2012. J Am Acad Dermatol. 2013;68:957-66.
  • 4
    Australian Institute of Health and Welfare. Cancer in Australia: an overview 2012. AIHW cat no. 70. Canberra: Australian Institute of Health and Welfare; 2012.
  • 5
    Diepgen TL, Mahler V. The epidemiology of skin cancer. Br J Dermatol. 2002;146:1-6.
  • 6
    Cantwell MM, Murray LJ, Catney D, Donnelly D, Autier P, Boniol M, et al. Second primary cancers in patients with skin cancer: a population-based study in Northern Ireland. Br J Cancer. 2009;100:174-7.
  • 7
    National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN). Non-melanoma skin cancer in England, Scotland, Northern Ireland, and Ireland. London: NCIN; 2013.
  • 8
    Inca.gov.br [Internet]. Instituto Nacional de Câncer José Alencar Gomes da Silva. Coordenação Geral de Ações Estratégicas. Coordenação de Prevenção e Vigilância. Estimativa 2012: incidência de câncer no Brasil. Rio de Janeiro: Inca, 2011. [acesso 23 Nov. 2013]. Disponível em: http/www.inca.gov.br/.
    » http/www.inca.gov.br/
  • 9
    Tanning industry exposed: Evidence demonstrates link between indoor tanning and skin cancer, dermatologists committed to educating public on risks. 5 U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Public Health Service, National Toxicology Program. Report on carcinogens, 11th ed: Exposure to sunlamps or sunbeds.
  • 10
    Grossman D, Leffell DJ. Squamous cell carcinoma. In: Wolff K, Goldsmith L, Katz S, Gilchrest B, Paller A, Leffell D, editors. Fitzpatrick's Dermatology in General Medicine. 7th ed. New York: McGraw Hill Medical; 2008, p. 1028-36.0.
  • 11
    Pfister H. Chapter 8: Human papillomavirus and skin cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2003;31:52-6.
  • 12
    Christenson LJ, Borrowman TA, Vachon CM, Tollefson MM, Otley CC, Weaver AL, et al. Incidence of basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas in a population younger than 40 years. JAMA. 2005;294:681-90.
  • 13
    Neville JA, Welch E, Leffell DJ. Management of nonmelanoma skin cancer in 2007. Nat Clin Pract Oncol. 2007;4:462-9.
  • 14
    Brasil. Instituto Brasileiro de Geografia e Estatística. Departamento da População e Indicadores Sociais. Gerência de Estudos e Análises da Dinâmica Demográfica. Estimativas para as Unidades da Federação obtidas pela Metodologia AiBi, controlada pela projeção Brasil- Revisão 2000 (método dos componentes demográficos). Brasília; 2009.
  • 15
    Corrêa LH, Popoaski CP, Custódio G, Gonçalves CO, Trevisol FS. Epidemiology of squamous cell carcinomas among the population attended in the city of Tubarão, Brazil, between 1999 and 2009. An Bras Dermatol. 2012;87:572-7.
  • 16
    Society for Investigative Dermatology, American Academy of Dermatology Association, The Lewen Group, Inc. The burden of skin diseases. Cleveland, Washington, D.C.; 2005.
  • 17
    Criscione VD, Weinstock MA, Naylor MF, Luque C, Eide MJ, Bingham SF; et al. Actinic keratoses natural history and risk of malignant transformation in the Veterans Affairs Tropical Tretinoin Chemoprevention Trial. Cancer. 2009;115:2523-30.
  • 18
    Aaad.org [Internet]. American Academy of Dermatology. Squamous Cell Carcinoma. [cited 2012 Aug 24]. Available from: http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatologya- to-z/squamous-cell-carcinoma.
    » http://www.aad.org/skin-conditions/dermatologya-to-z/squamous-cell-carcinoma
  • 19
    Quinn M, Wood H, Cooper N, Rowan S, editors. Cancer Atlas of the United Kingdom and Ireland 1991-2000. Studies on Medical and Population Subjects. No. 68. London: ONS; 2005.
  • 20
    National Cancer Intelligence Network (NCIN). Cancer Incidence and Mortality by Cancer Network, UK, 2005. London: NCIN; 2008.
  • 21
    Katalinic A, Kunze U, Schaffer T. Epidemiology of cutaneous melanoma and nonmelanoma skin cancer in Schleswig-Holstein, Germany: incidence, clinical subtypes, tumour stages and localization (epidemiology of skin cancer). Institute for Cancer Epidemiology, University of Lubeck, Beckergrube 43-47, 23552 Lubeck, Germany; 2011.
  • 22
    Sasieni PD, Shelton J, Ormiston-Smith N, Thomson CS, Silcocks PB. What is the lifetime risk of developing cancer? The effect of adjusting for multiple primaries. Br J Cancer. 2011;105:460-5.
  • 23
    International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC). Solar and ultraviolet radiation. IARC Monogr Eval Carcinog Risks Hum. 1992;55:11.
  • 24
    Environmental Protection Agency/Operational Satellites NOAA (EPA/NOAA). Experimental UVB-Index-2012.
  • 25
    Reichrath J. Sunlight, Vitamin D and Skin Cancer. New York: Landes Bioscience and Springer Science+Business Media; 2008.

Publication Dates

  • Publication in this collection
    Jan-Feb 2015

History

  • Received
    19 Feb 2014
  • Accepted
    11 May 2014
Sociedade Brasileira de Dermatologia Av. Rio Branco, 39 18. and., 20090-003 Rio de Janeiro RJ, Tel./Fax: +55 21 2253-6747 - Rio de Janeiro - RJ - Brazil
E-mail: revista@sbd.org.br