Second Primary Cancers in Skin Cancer Patients
Author Information
Author(s): Cantwell M M, Murray L J, Catney D, Donnelly D, Autier P, Boniol M, Fox C, Middleton R J, Dolan O M, Gavin A T
Primary Institution: Queen's University Belfast
Hypothesis
Patients with colorectal cancer would have a lower risk of subsequent skin cancer.
Conclusion
Patients with basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), or melanoma have an increased risk of developing new primary cancers compared to the general population.
Supporting Evidence
- The risk of new primary cancers was increased by 9% after basal cell carcinoma and 57% after squamous cell carcinoma.
- The risk of any subsequent cancer was more than double after melanoma.
- Men with SCC had a three-fold increase in melanoma risk.
Takeaway
If someone has skin cancer, they might get other types of cancer more often than people without skin cancer.
Methodology
The study used data from the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry to analyze cancer incidence among patients with BCC, SCC, and melanoma from 1993 to 2002.
Potential Biases
Increased surveillance of skin cancer patients may lead to biased reporting of new primary cancers.
Limitations
The study's follow-up period was only 4 years, and it primarily involved a white population, limiting generalizability.
Participant Demographics
The study involved predominantly white patients diagnosed with skin cancer in Northern Ireland.
Statistical Information
Confidence Interval
95% CI 1.73–2.39
Statistical Significance
p<0.05
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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