A clinical observation of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions in gangwon province over 10 Years (1999 - 2008)

Background: The incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions has recently increased according to extended life span, social and medical environment changes. However, a few clinical data have been reported on the survey of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions in Gangwon province. Objective: To investigate the incidence and clinical patterns of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions in Gangwon province. Methods: We reviewed 485 cases of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions from January 1999 to December 2008, at the Department of Dermatology at Wonju Christian Hospital. Results: The average annual incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors among the total number of outpatients was 0.51% and that of premalignant lesions was 0.48%. Both incidences tended to increase with time in 10 year intervals. The most common cutaneous malignant tumor was basal cell carcinoma (47.98%), followed by squamous cell carcinoma (24.19%), extramammary paget's disease (7.26%), metastatic cancer (5.65%), malignant melanoma (4.44%), and lastly, lymphoma (4.44%). Among premalignant lesions, actinic keratosis (74.68%) and Bowen's disease (25.32%) were common. The mean age of onset was 67.53 years in cutaneous malignant tumors and 70.51 years in premalignant lesioins. The most common site for both, the cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant tumors, was the face (63.97% and 81.43%, respectively). The ratio of men to women was 1.11 : 1 in cutaneous malignant tumors and 1 : 2.48 in premalignant lesions. Conclusion: The incidence of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions has gradually increased in Gangwon province. This data will be made available for the study about the association of cutaneous malignant tumors and premalignant lesions.