Basal cell carcinomas on sun-protected vs. sun-exposed body sites: A comparison of phenotypic and environmental risk factors

NHMRC Centre of Research Excellence in Sun and Health, Mohammad Khalesi*, David C. Whiteman, Cliff Rosendahl, Richard Johns, Timothy Hackett, Alan Cameron, Mary Waterhouse, Robyn M. Lucas, Michael G. Kimlin, Rachel E. Neale

*Corresponding author for this work

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleResearchpeer-review

12 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Background

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in White populations. There are indications that risk factors for BCC may differ according to the anatomic site of the tumour but this is not well understood. 

Purpose

To compare phenotypic and environmental risk factors for BCCs arising on sun-protected sites with that of those on sun-exposed sites. 

Methods

We conducted a case-case study in which people who had been diagnosed with incident BCC were recruited between February 2012 and September 2013 in Brisbane, Australia. 

Results

Fair skin (OR: 4.50; 95% CI: 1.22, 16.59), having more than 15 lesions frozen/burnt off compared to less than 5 (OR: 5.68; 95% CI: 1.78, 18.08) and severe acne (OR: 5.25; 95% CI: 1.34, 20.56) were associated with increased risk of BCC on sun-protected sites. The presence of more than 5 nevi on the body was associated with decreased risk (OR: 0.28; 95% CI: 0.11, 0.71). 

Conclusions

BCCs on sun-protected sites arise as a result of excessive sun exposure, most likely combined with phenotypic susceptibility. The strong negative association with nevi also suggests that there are constitutional factors that underlie the propensity for BCCs to arise on these body sites.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)202-211
Number of pages10
JournalPhotodermatology Photoimmunology and Photomedicine
Volume31
Issue number4
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2015
Externally publishedYes

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