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Common Cutaneous Malignancies

»	How are skin cancers classified?
»	What are the most common nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs)?
»	What is the most important cause of NMSC?
»	Are there any other causes of NMSC?
»	What special populations are at increased risk of NMSC?
»	How are NMSCs diagnosed?
»	How frequently do NMSCs occur?
»	How can NMSCs be prevented?
»	What factors should you consider in treating NMSC?
»	What are basal cell carcinomas?
»	What is the molecular basis for the development of sporadic basal cell carcinoma?
»	Describe the clinical and histologic appearance of basal cell carcinomas.
»	What is nevoid basal cell carcinoma syndrome?
»	What do typical squamous cell carcinomas look like clinically?
»	What is the biologic behavior of cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma?
»	What are keratoacanthomas?
»	How do keratoacanthomas present clinically?
»	What is Bowen’s disease?
»	What is an actinic keratosis?
»	What do actinic keratoses look like?
»	How should premalignant lesions, such as actinic keratoses and actinic cheilitis, be treated?

How frequently do NMSCs occur?

The exact incidence of NMSCs is unknown, because they are not routinely entered into tumor registries. It is estimated that 1.3 million new cases of NMSC occur each year in the United States, making them by far the most common cancers in this country. The annual cost to Medicare for the management and treatment of NMSCs is 426 million dollars. The lifetime risk of developing NMSC is 1 in 5. Statistically, if a patient develops one NMSC, the risk of another new lesion in 5 years is 30% to 50%.

Chen J, Fleischer A, Smith E, Kancler C, et al: Cost of nonmelanoma skin cancer treatment in the United States, Dermatol Surg 27:1035– 1038, 2007.