title: A 10-year study of squamous cell carcinoma in Hamedan in the west of Iran (1993-2002).
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer in Caucasians. Environmental factors, especially sunlight, play an important role in its pathogenesis. Aim To better define the frequency and characteristics of SCC in patients biopsied at Hamedan Sina Hospital in the west of Iran.
  
  
  METHODS
  This descriptive cross-sectional study was carried out in patients diagnosed with SCC in the Department of Dermatology, Hamedan Sina Hospital, Hamedan, Iran, in the 10-year period from 1993 to 2002.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From a total of 6846 biopsies, 669 skin cancers were diagnosed, including 449 (66.67%) basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and 179 (26.76%) SCC. The head and face were the most common sites of SCC location. Farming was the most common occupation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  SCC is the second most common form of skin malignancy in the west of Iran. Sunlight may play a role in the etiology of this tumor.
authors.affiliation: From the Department of Dermatology, Hamedan Sina Hospital, Hamedan University of Medical Sciences, Iran. abbaszamanian@yahoo.com
authors.forename: Abbas
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Zamanian
authors.forename: Mahmood
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Farshchian
authors.forename: Azame
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Meheralian
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001707:Biopsy, Needle; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003906:Developing Countries; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007492:Iran / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D017678:Sex Distribution; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology* / Q000628:therapy; D013997:Time Factors