C Templier1, E Boulanger2,3, Y Boumbar2, F Puisieux2, V Dziwniel4, L Mortier1, J B Beuscart2,5. 1. Department of Dermatology, University Hospital of Lille, Lille, France. 2. Acute Geriatric Medicine Department, University Hospital of Lille, Lille, France. 3. Vascular Ageing Biology, EA2693, Lille School of Medicine, Lille Medical University, Lille, France. 4. Modern Languages Department, École Centrale de Lille, Villeneuve d'Ascq, France. 5. Department of Biostatistics, EA2694, University Lille 2, Lille, France.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Ageing is a determining factor in skin cancer, but the incidence and prevalence of skin cancer in elderly patients are not known. AIM: To determine the prevalence of skin cancers in elderly patients and to assess their associated geriatric syndromes. METHODS: Between January and April 2013, all consecutive incident patients hospitalized in the Acute Geriatric Unit of Lille University Hospital underwent a geriatric assessment and a systematic dermatological examination. A biopsy was taken whenever there was any lesion with suspicion of malignancy. RESULTS: In total, 204 patients (mean age 85.4 years) were included, and 16 cutaneous biopsies were taken from 15 patients. Histological examination confirmed skin cancer in 11 biopsies from 10 patients: 9 basal cell carcinomas, 1 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 1 malignant lentigo. The prevalence of skin cancer was 4.9%. The geriatric assessment revealed severe geriatric syndromes in the 10 patients with skin cancer: severe dependence (8/10), possible cognitive impairment (10/10), and moderate or severe malnutrition (5/10). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of skin cancer is high in frail elderly patients. The association of severe geriatric syndromes suggests that close collaboration between geriatricians and dermatologists is essential to optimize the treatment of skin carcinoma in elderly patients.
BACKGROUND: Ageing is a determining factor in skin cancer, but the incidence and prevalence of skin cancer in elderly patients are not known. AIM: To determine the prevalence of skin cancers in elderly patients and to assess their associated geriatric syndromes. METHODS: Between January and April 2013, all consecutive incident patients hospitalized in the Acute Geriatric Unit of Lille University Hospital underwent a geriatric assessment and a systematic dermatological examination. A biopsy was taken whenever there was any lesion with suspicion of malignancy. RESULTS: In total, 204 patients (mean age 85.4 years) were included, and 16 cutaneous biopsies were taken from 15 patients. Histological examination confirmed skin cancer in 11 biopsies from 10 patients: 9 basal cell carcinomas, 1 squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and 1 malignant lentigo. The prevalence of skin cancer was 4.9%. The geriatric assessment revealed severe geriatric syndromes in the 10 patients with skin cancer: severe dependence (8/10), possible cognitive impairment (10/10), and moderate or severe malnutrition (5/10). CONCLUSIONS: The prevalence of skin cancer is high in frail elderly patients. The association of severe geriatric syndromes suggests that close collaboration between geriatricians and dermatologists is essential to optimize the treatment of skin carcinoma in elderly patients.
Authors: Magdalena de Troya-Martín; Laura Padilla-España; Teresa Férnandez-Morano; Nuria Delgado-Sánchez; Nuria Blázquez Sánchez; Francisco Rivas-Ruiz; Enrique Herrera-Ceballos; Maria Victoria de Gálvez-Aranda Journal: J Cancer Educ Date: 2016-12 Impact factor: 2.037