Abstract

Objective: This study aims to evaluate the frequency and five-year survival rates of skin cancer patients at medical facilities in Yazd, Iran within an eight year period. Design: Retrospective, analytic survival study Setting:Dermatology Department, Shahid Sadooghi Hospital, Yazd, Iran Subjects: One thousand two hundred and sixteen patients who had visited specialized medical centers in Yazd province, central Iran, diagnosed with skin cancer, between the year 2001 � 2008 Intervention(s): Required relevant data were collected from patients files and analyzed Main outcome measure(s): Mortality Results: This study, which included 701 male and 515 female patients, showed that overall affliction rates were higher in males (57.6) than females (42.4), and its relative distribution is most frequently observed in patients between the ages of 50 - 80 years. The highest number of skin cancer cases was reported amongst agricultural workers (36.3), with the most common cancer type as Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC) (72.4), and facial regions were the most commonly affected areas (60.9). The five-year survival rates were observed to be BCC (93.9), Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC) (92.5) and Malignant Melanoma (MM) (75.2). Females showed a lower mortality rate than males, and the five-year survival rate decreased inversely with increases in patients' ages. Highest survival rates were observed among office workers and housewives, whereas lowest survival rates were seen among hand-workers and farmers. Conclusion: Exposure to sunlight is the most important cause of various skin cancer types. Better training and education is recommended. © 2016, Kuwait Medical Association. All rights reserved.