title: Skin cancer in the elderly.
abstract: Skin cancer is a major concern in geriatric populations. Cumulative exposure to carcinogens and age-related factors both contribute to the high prevalence of cutaneous malignancy in the elderly. Although mortality rates from skin cancer are relatively low, morbidity can be significant, particularly if lesions are neglected. Physicians can have a major impact on the course of basal cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma, and malignant melanoma by nurturing a high index of suspicion for malignancy when unexplained cutaneous lesions are encountered.
authors.affiliation: Mohs Surgery and Dermatologic Surgery Unit, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina.
authors.forename: S V
authors.initials: SV
authors.lastname: Pollack
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D006801:Humans; D008545:Melanoma / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000473:pathology / Q000628:therapy; D011379:Prognosis; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects