Cutaneous Cancer Trends in Spain: An Emerging Epidemic with Shifting Tumor Types

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The incidence of both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers has increased significantly in recent years. Understanding their epidemiology is essential for implementing effective community prevention strategies and optimizing healthcare resource planning. This study aimed to (1) quantify the number of skin tumors diagnosed at the Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA) from 2014 to 2023; (2) describe temporal trends in the incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma; and (3) analyze the clinical and histopathological features of melanoma and estimate age-standardized incidence rates. <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective study was conducted using data from the Pathology Registry of HUCA. Diagnosed cases were collected in an Excel database and analyzed with SPSS v.27. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation; categorical variables as counts and percentages. Incidence rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using EPIDAT 4.2, based on the European standard population. Municipal population data were obtained from the SADEI website. <b>Results</b>: A total of 7477 BCC, 2689 SCC, and 585 melanoma cases were identified. Over the study period, BCC cases increased by 50%, SCC by 80%, and melanoma by 159%. Among melanoma cases, 89% were diagnosed by dermatologists, 60% were women, 33.1% were melanoma in situ, and 73.3% were superficial spreading melanomas. Age-standardized melanoma incidence rose from 8.85/100,000 in 2014 to 18.50 in 2023. <b>Conclusions</b>: Skin cancer incidence, especially melanoma, has risen markedly in Asturias, with more in situ cases suggesting improved early detection. The 2020 decline reflects COVID-19's impact on access to care, underscoring the need for sustained prevention and screening efforts.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Published
2025-08-10
DOI
https://doi.org/10.3390/jcm14165654
Primary Topic
Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Studies
Type
article
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article

Cutaneous Cancer Trends in Spain: An Emerging Epidemic with Shifting Tumor Types

Jorge Santos‐Juanes, Cristina Galache, Celia Gómez‐de Castro, Laura Palacios‐García et al.
Journal of Clinical Medicine
Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Studies
article

Cutaneous Cancer Trends in Spain: An Emerging Epidemic with Shifting Tumor Types

Jorge Santos‐Juanes, Cristina Galache, Celia Gómez‐de Castro, Laura Palacios‐García, Raquel Santos-Juanes, Marta López-Pando, Marta García-Puente, Miguel Plaza-López
article en

Abstract

<b>Background/Objectives</b>: The incidence of both non-melanoma and melanoma skin cancers has increased significantly in recent years. Understanding their epidemiology is essential for implementing effective community prevention strategies and optimizing healthcare resource planning. This study aimed to (1) quantify the number of skin tumors diagnosed at the Central University Hospital of Asturias (HUCA) from 2014 to 2023; (2) describe temporal trends in the incidence of basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and melanoma; and (3) analyze the clinical and histopathological features of melanoma and estimate age-standardized incidence rates. <b>Methods</b>: A retrospective study was conducted using data from the Pathology Registry of HUCA. Diagnosed cases were collected in an Excel database and analyzed with SPSS v.27. Quantitative variables were expressed as mean ± standard deviation; categorical variables as counts and percentages. Incidence rates and 95% confidence intervals were calculated using EPIDAT 4.2, based on the European standard population. Municipal population data were obtained from the SADEI website. <b>Results</b>: A total of 7477 BCC, 2689 SCC, and 585 melanoma cases were identified. Over the study period, BCC cases increased by 50%, SCC by 80%, and melanoma by 159%. Among melanoma cases, 89% were diagnosed by dermatologists, 60% were women, 33.1% were melanoma in situ, and 73.3% were superficial spreading melanomas. Age-standardized melanoma incidence rose from 8.85/100,000 in 2014 to 18.50 in 2023. <b>Conclusions</b>: Skin cancer incidence, especially melanoma, has risen markedly in Asturias, with more in situ cases suggesting improved early detection. The 2020 decline reflects COVID-19's impact on access to care, underscoring the need for sustained prevention and screening efforts.

Journal of Clinical MedicineVol. 14(16)
Universidad de Oviedo (ES), Hospital Universitario Central de Asturias (ES), Instituto de Investigación Sanitaria del Principado de Asturias (ES)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 71%
Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer Studies
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