Increased prevalence of left-sided skin cancers.
BACKGROUND
Previous research has shown an increase in photodamage and precancers on the left side of the face.


OBJECTIVE
We sought to determine whether there is a higher frequency of skin cancer development on the left side of the body than the right.


METHODS
The study was a retrospective review of patients with skin cancer referred to our Mohs micrographic surgery and cutaneous oncology unit in 2004.


RESULTS
When including all types of skin cancers and both sexes, more cancers occurred on the left (52.6%) than the right (47.4%) (P = .059), with a stronger trend in men (P = .042). There were significantly more malignant melanoma in situ on the left (31/42, 74%) than the right (11/42, 26%) (P = .002).


CONCLUSIONS
Population was comprised of patients referred to an academic medical center and often for Mohs micrographic surgery.


CONCLUSIONS
There were significantly more skin cancers on the left than the right side in men. This discrepancy was even more profound in malignant melanoma in situ.
Department of Dermatology, Saint Louis University School of Medicine, Saint Louis, Missouri 63104, USA. suzybutler1@gmail.com
Susan T
ST
Butler
Scott W
SW
Fosko
D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001334:Automobile Driving / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D008875:Middle Aged; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015595:Skin Aging / Q000473:pathology*; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects