Background & Aim

Skin cancer is the most common cancer around the world. Regional differences have been reported affecting the demographics and the prevalence of non-melanoma skin cancers; furthermore, non-melanoma skin cancers are believed to be underreported. In this study, we aim to identify and highlight any possible significant characteristics of skin cancer in our rural center in Scotland's Highlands.

Methods

This is a retrospective study analyzing and reporting cancerous skin lesions excision rates among all skin lesions excised and their characteristics in our rural center for one year. Clinical and histopathological data for patients attending our services for suspicious skin lesions excision were collected. Data included the patient’s age, gender, lesion’s diagnosis, site, size, color, borders, resection edges, recurrence, and complications. A database was created creating two cohorts: cancer and non-cancerous lesions groups, both cohorts' data was compared using student T-tests and Z-tests. P-values were considered statistically significant if < 0.5, Overall data was analyzed revealing trends and end results.

Results

From December 2019 to December 2020, 96 patients underwent skin lesions excision, 30% were cancerous. Basal cell carcinoma was the most common malignant growth standing for 76.7% of all malignant lesions excised. Squamous cell carcinoma and melanoma were found in 20% and 3.3% of patients with malignant lesions, respectively. Out of the total, 76% of cancerous lesions were in males. The most common site was head and neck (58.8%). High-risk lesions were the ones on the head and neck (P= 0.00988), in the elderly over 74.5 years (P= 0.000037), and males (P= 0.001).

Conclusion

Basal cell carcinoma was the most common malignant lesion. Elderly men with lesions on the head and neck had higher risks for cancer. Further clarification may be required with larger multi-center studies involving general practitioners, which might help identify regional variations.