title: Prevalence of actinic skin lesions in patients with basal cell carcinoma of the head: a case-control study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To evaluate the prevalence of actinic skin lesions in patients with basal cell carcinoma of the head.
  
  
  METHODS
  A case-control study was carried out. Cases were patients with primary, solid basal cell carcinoma of the head, less than two centimeters in diameter; and as controls, patients with other dermatoses. Constitutional and behavioral variables were analyzed, as well as actinic lesions.
  
  
  RESULTS
  One hundred twenty cases and 360 controls were evaluated. Facial milia (OR = 2.3), leukoderma punctata of the upper limbs (OR = 2.9), and cutis rhomboidalis nuchae (OR = 1.8) were associated with neoplasms regardless of other variables, suggesting a risk phenotype. There was also association with light hair and eye color phenotypes, family genetics, and cumulative sun exposure. Sunburn, smoking, and alcoholism were not identified as risk factors. The use of sunscreens showed no evidence of protection; however, the control group consisted of dermatology patients who are often prescribed sunscreens.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Actinic lesions were more prevalent in patients with solid basal cell carcinoma of the head than in controls, especially milia, cutis rhomboidalis nuchae, and leukoderma punctata, regardless of other known risk factors.
authors.affiliation: Departament of Dermatology and Radiotherapy, Universidade Estadual Paulista (FMB-UNESP), Botucatu, SP, Brazil.
authors.forename: Valquíria Pessoa
authors.initials: VP
authors.lastname: Chinem
authors.forename: Hélio Amante
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Miot
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001938:Brazil / Q000453:epidemiology; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D016022:Case-Control Studies; D005260:Female; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D006801:Humans; D055623:Keratosis, Actinic / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D008297:Male; D015995:Prevalence; D012307:Risk Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000235:genetics; D012880:Skin Pigmentation