The use of HCT and/or ACE inhibitors significantly increases the risk of non-melanotic skin cancer in the periocular region

Background/Aims To investigate a possible association between the use of hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) and/or angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) and the occurrence of periocular non-melanoma skin cancer. Methods The files of 929 patients from the University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf who were surgically treated for suspected periocular malignancy were evaluated retrospectively regarding the occurrence of non-melanoma skin cancer and concomitant medication. To be able to put the data in an overall context, we also analyzed age-matched routine data of the DAK-Gesundheit (DAK-G), a nationwide operating German health insurance company. Results Of the 929 patient records examined, who underwent surgical excision for suspected non-melanotic malignancy, non-melanocytic skin cancer could actually be determined by histology in 199 patients. In total, 176 patients (103 women, 72 men) had a basal cell carcinoma and 23 patients (16 women, 7 men) suffered from squamous cell carcinoma. The rate of intake of HCT or ACE inhibitors in our patient collective with non-melanotic skin cancer is significantly higher than in the general age-matched population (ORACE: 2.51, p