title: Epidemiology of basal cell carcinoma: scholarly review.
abstract: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common cancer in white-skinned individuals with increasing incidence rates worldwide. Patients with BCC place a large burden on healthcare systems, because of the high incidence and the increased risk of synchronous and metachronous BCCs and other ultraviolet radiation (UVR) related skin cancers (i.e. field cancerization). As a result, the disability-adjusted life years and healthcare costs have risen significantly in recent decades. BCC is a complex disease, in which the interplay between UVR, phenotype (UVR-sensitive) and genotype (somatic mutations and germline mutations/polymorphisms) fulfils a key role in the aetiopathogenesis. Prevention programmes with continual refinements and improvements could be of major importance in tackling the growing skin cancer problem. To provide the most appropriate BCC care, physicians should engage in shared decision-making and choose their treatments wisely.
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Burgemeester s'Jacobplein 51, 3015 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: J A C
authors.initials: JAC
authors.lastname: Verkouteren
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Burgemeester s'Jacobplein 51, 3015 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: K H R
authors.initials: KHR
authors.lastname: Ramdas
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Burgemeester s'Jacobplein 51, 3015 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Wakkee
authors.affiliation: Department of Dermatology, Erasmus MC Cancer Institute, Burgemeester s'Jacobplein 51, 3015 CA, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
authors.forename: T
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Nijsten
mesh_terms: D000428:Alcohol Drinking / Q000009:adverse effects; D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D017281:Cost of Illness; D004032:Diet / Q000009:adverse effects; D004781:Environmental Exposure / Q000009:adverse effects; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D018095:Germ-Line Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D014943:Global Health; D017048:Health Care Costs; D006292:Health Priorities; D006801:Humans; D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D015994:Incidence; D009154:Mutation / Q000235:genetics; D030361:Papillomavirus Infections / Q000453:epidemiology; D010641:Phenotype; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents / Q000009:adverse effects; D011110:Polymorphism, Genetic; D011322:Primary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D011839:Radiation, Ionizing; D012111:Residence Characteristics; D012307:Risk Factors; D055502:Secondary Prevention / Q000379:methods; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000191:economics / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000517:prevention & control; D012907:Smoking / Q000009:adverse effects; D014466:Ultraviolet Rays / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D007166:Immunosuppressive Agents; D017319:Photosensitizing Agents