Skin Cancers in Croatia

To assess the incidence of nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSC), no-nonmelanoma skin cancers (No NMSC) and malignant melanoma (MM) in Croatia in the period from 2003-2005. The cases of skin cancers recorded between January 1, 2003 and December 31, 2005 were retrospectively analyzed. The age-specific incidence rate was calculated per 100, 000 inhabitants according to the latest population census in Croatia from 2001. The age-standardized incidence rate was calculated per 100, 000 inhabitants according to the world standard population. During the 3-year period, 9, 479 cases of NMSC were recorded, 4, 682 (49%) in male and 4, 857 (51%) in female patients. The crude incidence rate was 72.1/100, 000 for males and 70.3/100, 000 for females. In the total number of NMSC, there were 7, 244 cases of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 1, 860 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) cases. The age-specific incidence rate of BCC increases after the age of 65 in females, and 75 in males, reaching the peak at the age group 80-85 in both sexes. In male and female patients, the age-specific incidence rate of SCC has showed an increase after the age of 59, with the peak at the age of >80. No NMSC were registered in 119 cases (53% male and 47% female). The crude incidence rate was 0.9/100, 000 for male and 0.8/100, 000 for female patients. MM was registered in 1, 427 cases (48% male and 52% female.) The crude incidence rate was 10.7/100, 000 for males and females. The age-specific incidence rate of MM was continuously being increased in all age groups in females, with the peak at the age of >80, and in males with a peak at the age group 55-59 and at the age of >85. These results will serve for the monitoring of the skin cancers incidence in Croatia in the forthcoming years.