title: Occupational skin cancer may be underreported.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Skin cancer may, in some cases, be caused by occupational exposures. The aim of this study was to investigate the prevalence of and exposures leading to occupationally induced skin cancers in Denmark during a ten-year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  The study is a descriptive, register-based study comprising all patients with recognized occupational malignant and premalignant skin conditions in Denmark in the 01/01 2000-31/12 2009 period. Data were obtained from The National Board of Industrial Injuries and comprise information about diagnosis, occupational and domestic exposure, anatomic localization, occupation, degree of permanent disability, age and sex.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 36 patients were recognized as occupational skin cancer cases. The mean age was 61 years (44-75 years), 31 men and five women. The most frequent diagnosis was basal cell carcinoma followed by squamous cell carcinoma. No cases of malignant melanoma were recognized. The primary risk factor for development of occupational skin cancer was ultraviolet (UV) exposure during outdoor working.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Data based on recognized cases of occupational skin cancer during a ten-year period in Denmark show that non-melanoma skin cancer was the most frequent diagnosis, while the primary risk factor was UV radiation in outdoor occupations. A total of 36 cases were reported over a period of ten years, and underreporting may be suspected. The purpose of the present study was to raise the awareness of occupational skin cancer, and on the basis of existing data to contribute to criteria for the diagnosis of occupational skin cancer.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
  
  
  BACKGROUND
  not relevant.
authors.affiliation: Dermato-venerologisk Afdeling, Bispebjerg Hospital, 2400 Copenhagen NV, Denmark. tanja.korfitsen@dadlnet.dk
authors.forename: Tanja Korfitsen
authors.initials: TK
authors.lastname: Carøe
authors.forename: Niels Erik
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Ebbehøj
authors.forename: Hans Christian
authors.initials: HC
authors.lastname: Wulf
authors.forename: Tove
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Agner
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D060389:Construction Industry; D003718:Denmark / Q000453:epidemiology; D005260:Female; D051639:Gardening; D006801:Humans; D006838:Hydrocarbons / Q000009:adverse effects; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D008899:Mineral Oil / Q000009:adverse effects; D009784:Occupational Diseases / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D016273:Occupational Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects*; D011230:Precancerous Conditions / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012042:Registries; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology; D013638:Tars / Q000009:adverse effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects; D014896:Welding
chemical_list: D006838:Hydrocarbons; D013638:Tars; D008899:Mineral Oil; C006647:asphalt