Diagnostic index of cutaneous neoplasia in a campaign to fight skin cancer at a dermatologic service located in the Brazilian State of São Paulo’s midlands

Introduction: Skin cancer is the most common type of cancer in the world. It is classified into melanoma (corresponding to 4% of cases) and non-melanoma types: basal cell carcinomas (70 to 80% of cases) and squamous cell carcinoma (25% of cases). The Brazilian Society of Dermatology conducts the National Campaign Against Skin Cancer on a yearly basis, aiming at diagnosing and providing early treatment to the neoplasia.
Objective: To demonstrate the incidence of lesions suspicious of skin cancer in selected patients originated from the 2016 National Campaign Against Skin Cancer, at the dermatologic clinic of a university hospital located in the Brazilian State of São Paulo’s midlands.
Methods: Two hundred and thirty patients were examined, of which 24 were selected with 22 undergoing biopsy of the suspected lesions.
Results: Sixteen basal cell carcinoma cases, one squamous cell carcinoma and one melanoma were confirmed through anatomopathology.
Conclusions: Notwithstanding the small sample, it was possible to conclude that the results found are compatible with those of the literature reviewed. It is of paramount importance to carry out the campaign as a way to streamline the population’s access to a dermatologist, which results in the early diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers.

Keywords: Melanoma; carcinoma, basal cell; skin neoplasms; neoplasms, squamous cell; health promotion