Ten years of skin malignancies in a single general practice.
BACKGROUND
Generalists within the UK have for many years been performing minor surgical procedures. Little has been published concerning this activity.


OBJECTIVE
To determine the management of skin malignancy in a UK general practice in order to allow comparison of activity with other practices and disciplines and to identify areas for research.


METHODS
Retrospective cohort study in an urban 4-partner general practice of 10,000 patients. Total ascertainment of all diagnosed skin malignancies over 10 years achieved by undertaking computerised searches.


RESULTS
136 skin malignancies were identified in 101 patients. The recurrence rates for basal cell carcinomas managed in primary care were comparable to rates published for secondary care. A quarter of patients developed a metachronous skin malignancy or a recurrence.


CONCLUSIONS
Almost half of all skin malignancies were wholly managed within primary care. There appeared to be no consistent pattern of management. There is a need for research and consensus on optimal care.
Shapley
M
M
Primary Care Sciences Research Centre, Keele University, Keele, UK. m.sharpley@cphc.keele.ac.uk
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D015331:Cohort Studies; D004739:England / Q000453:epidemiology; D005194:Family Practice / Q000592:standards* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008499:Medical Records; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D017063:Outcome Assessment, Health Care; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000473:pathology; D013222:State Medicine / Q000592:standards / Q000706:statistics & numerical data