“Open house” for evaluation of skin tumours. Who seeks advice and for what reasons?

Abstract

AbstractObjectives To study in detail the characteristics of patients attending a screening campaign for detection of malignant melanoma.Background Malignant melanoma is the malignant tumour exhibiting the greatest increase in incidence in most countries.Design On September 15 and 16 1990 an “open house” for evaluation of skin tumours was performed mainly at dermatologic departments throughout Sweden. In the city of Malmö such patients were investigated by dermatologists and oncologists and documented in a more detailed manner than in the national campaign.Subjects 380 patients.Methods Ocular whole body examination for premalignant and malignant skin tumours. Registration of patient characteristics concerning sex, age, reason for attending. Registration of therapeutic action and possible differences between dermatologists and oncologists.Results The median age of attending persons was 67 years probably reflecting the higher prevalence of skin tumours among the elderly. Three quarters of patients sought advice for a specific skin change, in most cases verruca seborrhoica. Several premalignant and malignant non melanoma skin changes were found. Altogether two malignant melanoma were found, both of the thin type and. thus, potentially curable. Dermatologists referred 10.4% of specific skin changes to surgery compared to 30.8% for oncologists.Conclusions The great number of attending patients reveals a great concern about skin tumours among the public. This indicates the need for permanent, easily accessible skin tumour clinics, preferably run by dermatologists, where patients can be evaluated without delay.