Non-melanoma skin cancer: part 1, literature review

The incidence of skin cancer has been steadily increasing worldwide with annual growth equal from 3 to 10% in recent years. Skin malignancies (MNs), with the exception of melanoma, are on the second place in the structure of oncological morbidity in the Russian Federation. Unfortunately, skin cancer is often diagnosed at late stages despite the fact that it is external tumor. Most probably, it is associated with insufficient oncological alertness of patients and healthcare professionals. The group of keratinocyte carcinomas also called non-melanoma skin cancer include basal cell carcinoma (basal cell skin cancer) and squamous cell carcinoma (squamous cell skin cancer). Basal cell skin cancer is the most common tumor accounting for up to 75% of all epithelial MNs. Squamous cell skin cancer is also fairly prevalent malignant epithelial tumor of the skin. The main factor of carcinomas occurrence is exposure to ultraviolet radiation. In addition to cumulative ultraviolet exposure other risk factors include chronic skin inflammation, chemical carcinogens, immunosupression (including HIV infection and drug-induced immunosupression after organs transplantation) and xeroderma pigmentosum. The review presents summarized data on epidemiology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis, treatment and prevention of skin carcinoma. It is important to note that the first specialists who meet such patients are general practitioners, cosmetologists and dermatologists, who are responsible for timely diagnosis and referral of these patients to an oncologist.