D. Czarnecki

The Changing Face of Skin Cancer In Australia

Abstract: A survey of patients with basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) revealed that major changes have occurred since the World War II. In the pre‐World War II generations, men outnumber women and most BCCs occur on the head and neck. Men had more BCCs on the ear and trunk, while women had more on the head and leg. In the post‐World War II generation, women outnumbered men and most BCCs occurred on the trunk.

HLA DR4 Is Associated with the Development of Multiple Basal Cell Carcinomas and Malignant Melanoma

An association between HLA DR4 and the development of multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and malignant melanoma (MM) was detected in southern Australia. There were highly significant differences in HLA DR frequencies between patients with multiple BCCs and MM and matched patients with multiple BCCs only. These findings suggest that hereditary factors associated with the HLA system influence what types of multiple skin cancers people develop.

SQUAMOUS CELL CARCINOMA IN SOUTHERN AND NORTHERN AUSTRALIA

Squamous cell carcinoma (sec) of the skin was studied in two similar populations, one living in the temperate zone of Australia, the other living in the tropics. In the tropics, the patients were significantly younger, the man to woman ratio approached unity, and women had significantly more sees on the legs. In the temperate zone, men had significantly more on the head and neck, but women had significantly more on the upper and lower limbs.

NONMELANOMA SKIN CANCER: NUMBER OF CANCERS AND THEIR DISTRIBUTION IN OUTPATIENTS

Background. Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is increasing in incidence and more are developing on the trunk and limbs. The objectives were to determine how many outpatients have more than one NMSC at the time they present for treatment and to determine the anatomical distribution of the cancers.

Familial occurrence of multiple nonmelanoma skin cancer

A survey of patients with histologically confirmed nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) found 12 families in which several members developed skin cancers. The prevalence of NMSC in these families was far greater than in the normal population. The trait appeared to be dominantly inherited, and NMSC developed at an earlier age in succeeding generations, possibly because of a change in sun exposure habits.

Basal cell carcinoma in tropical Australia.

A survey of people with skin cancer in tropical Australia detected a change in site of the prevalent cancer. In the post‐war generation more basal cell carcinomas are occurring on the back and fewer on the head and neck. A reversal of the sex ratio was also detected, with more women being afflicted.

MULTIPLE BASAL CELL CARCINOMA IN TROPICAL AUSTRALIA

No association between HLA DP1 and the development of multiple basal cell carcinomas (BCC) was found among patients who had lived at least two‐thirds of their lives in the tropics. The percentage of patients with multiple BCCS increased with age; this was different from what has been found in people living in the temperate zone of Australia.