P53 Basal cell carcinoma in the Netherlands: how often do they occur?

Abstract

Introduction Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is becoming an increasingly important public health issue, because of rapidly increasing incidence rates and their associated costs. The objective of this study was to reliably estimate occurrence of BCC in the Netherlands with data from the Eindhoven Cancer Registry (ECR) in terms of incidence and prevalence. Methods Data on the incidence of first primary BCC were retrieved from the ECR and extrapolated to the Dutch population. The 19-year BCC prevalence was calculated for the years 1990–2008 and predictions for the future were made based on observed rates in the years 2000–2008. Results Extrapolated data showed a total of 444 131 first, histologically confirmed BCC cases in the Netherlands between 1973 and 2008. Age-adjusted incidence rates (European Standard population) more than tripled in this period, rates increased from 40 to 148 per 100 000 in males and from 34 to 141 in females. Life time risk for BCC development was 1 in 5 for men and 1 in 6 for women. Overall BCC prevalence in the Netherlands was 1.4% and in the oldest age group (65 years or more) it was almost four times higher (5.4%). BCC trend predictions for the future showed no signs of flattening or leveling off, illustrating the continuously growing importance of this large, but not frequently studied group of skin malignancies. Conclusion This epidemiological study shows an estimate of size of the absolute and relative numbers of first histologically proven BCCs in the Netherlands from 1973 to 2008. It is the first study to estimate prevalence of BCC in a population-based setting. Almost 1.5% of the population has been diagnosed with BCC and 1 in 5–6 Dutch citizens are expected to be diagnosed with this cancer during their lifetime. These estimates should urge Dutch policymakers to provide solutions, since this growing group of BCC patients are already and will remain a serious healthcare problem in terms of numbers of patients treated and related health care costs.