Risk factors for early-onset basal cell carcinoma in a German institution

• Published in: EJD. European journal of dermatology Vol. 21; no. 5; pp. 705 - 709
• Main Authors: MARCHIORI BAKOS, Renato, KRIZ, Martin, MÜHLSTÄDT, Michael, KUNTE, Christian, RUZICKA, Thomas, BERKING, Carola
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: Montrouge John Libbey Eurotext 01-09-2011
• Subjects: Adult; Age of Onset; Biological and medical sciences; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - epidemiology; Dermatology; Diseases of the skin. Cosmetics; Female; Germany - epidemiology; Humans; Male; Medical sciences; Multivariate Analysis; Radiotherapy. Instrumental treatment. Physiotherapy. Reeducation. Rehabilitation, orthophony, crenotherapy. Diet therapy and various other treatments (general aspects); Retrospective Studies; Risk Factors; Skin Neoplasms - epidemiology; Smoking - epidemiology; Sunburn - epidemiology; Tumors of the skin and soft tissue. Premalignant lesions; Europe; Germany; Skin disease; Basal cell carcinoma; Sunscreen; Dermatology; Risk factor; Sunscreen product; tanning bed; Malignant tumor; sunburn; Cancer
• ISSN: 1167-1122; 1952-4013
• DOI: 10.1684/ejd.2011.1436

Genetic predisposition and ultraviolet (UV) exposure are the most important risk factors for basal cell carcinoma (BCC). Recent reports have demonstrated an increasing incidence of BCC among younger patients. We investigated potential risk factors for sporadic BCC in a subset of young German patients.
Twenty-five patients with BCC at the age of 19 to 40 years (mean 34.4 years) were included in the study. They were selected from a total of 2,058 patients who received surgical treatment for BCC between December 2004 and November 2008. Patients were contacted by telephone interview and asked about sun habits, associated medical conditions, and lifestyle-related variables. Data were compared with interview results from sex-, age- and skin type-matched controls.
We found 1.4% (29) of 2,058 BCC patients to be ≤40 years of age. Four patients had Gorlin-Goltz syndrome and were excluded from further analysis. Multivariate analysis showed tanning bed use (OR= 25.0; IC95%: 2.26-277.36) and smoking (OR=13.34; IC95%: 1.56-113.8) to be the most significant independent risk factors for BCC, while sunscreen use had a protective effect.
BCCs in young patients were only rarely related to hereditary syndromes, but were associated with environmental carcinogens, i.e. UV radiation and smoking.