Epidemiology of squamous cell carcinomas among the population attended in the city of Tubarão, Brazil, between 1999 and 2009 Epidemiologia dos carcinomas espinocelulares na população atendida em Tubarão (SC), entre 1999 e 2009

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is the most common neoplasm in Brazil, with increasing incidence in recent decades. Data on the incidence of squamous cell carcinoma are scarce in southern Santa Catarina. OBJECTIVE: To establish epidemiological data on squamous cell carcinoma in Tubarão, State of Santa Catarina. METHODS: A cross-sectional review was conducted on anatomical pathology reports, positive for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin, found in the local laboratories. A convenience sampling method was used for data collection, since all the pathology reports from the local laboratories between 1999 and 2009 were included. The collected variables included year of diagnosis, age, gender, city of origin, tumor site, histological type and subtype, lesion size, margin involvement and relapse. RESULTS: In total, 1,437 case reports were identified, most frequently in individuals between 70 and 79 years old. Patient morbidity was 69.5 per 100,000 population for the year 1999, and 136.7 per 100,000 population for the year 2009, which represents a 50 percent increase. The face was the most affected area and the most common histological subtype was the well-differentiated tumor. CONCLUSION: There were 1,437 reports of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin between 1999 and 2009, with a significant increase in patient morbidity. There was an association between male gender and location on the lip and ear, and between females and the occurrence of squamous cell carcinoma of the skin on the nose, and upper and lower limbs. There was a prevalence of margin involvement after resection in 18% of lesions.FUNDAMENTOS: O câncer da pele é a neoplasia mais frequente no Brasil, com incidência crescente nas últimas décadas. Na Região Sul de Santa Catarina os dados sobre a incidência de carcinoma espinocelular são escassos. OBJETIVO: Estabelecer dados epidemiológicos do carcinoma espinocelular em Tubarão (SC). MÉTODOS: Foi realizado estudo transversal com revisão dos laudos anatomopatológicos positivos para o carcinoma espinocelular dos laboratórios de Tubarão, SC amostragem por conveniência, e as variáveis coletadas foram: ano do diagnóstico, idade, sexo, cidade de origem, local da lesão, grau de diferenciação, diâmetro da lesão, comprometimento de margem e ocorrência de recidiva. RESULTADOS: Identificaram-se 1.437 laudos com diagnóstico de carcinoma espinocelular, com maior frequência na faixa etária entre 70 e 79 anos. Foi calculado o coeficiente de morbidade para carcinoma espinocelu