Pattern of development of basal versus squamous cell carcinoma.
BACKGROUND
Basal cell and squamous cell carcinomas both arise in the epidermis of fair-skinned people in response to ultraviolet light, with the overall frequency of basal cell carcinoma being 4 times that of squamous cell carcinoma. Despite the similarities in the population at risk, and the presumed etiology of these tumors, it is unclear if any one individual has a proclivity to develop only one type of tumor.


OBJECTIVE
The study explores whether or not there is a pattern of expression of basal versus squamous cell carcinoma among people with these cancers.


METHODS
This case-control study involved patients with a total of more than 3 and fewer than 10 basal or squamous cell carcinomas. Patient age and gender, as well as number and location of diagnosed basal and squamous cell carcinomas were gathered and patterns within these values were sought.


RESULTS
Patients found to have at least one basal cell carcinoma tended to produce more basal cell carcinomas and patients found to have at least one squamous cell carcinoma tended to produce more squamous cell carcinomas.


CONCLUSIONS
The study supports the possibility that people who develop basal cell carcinoma are more likely to develop more basal cell carcinomas. Similarly, people who develop squamous cell carcinoma are more likely to develop more squamous cell carcinomas.
Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, USA.
Sivan
S
Shemesh
James M
JM
Spencer
Robert G
RG
Phelps
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000473:pathology*; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology*; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D018450:Disease Progression; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012727:Sex Characteristics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology*