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Advanced Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Skin of the Head and Neck

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Carcinomas of the Head and Neck

Part of the book series: Cancer Treatment and Research ((CTAR,volume 52))

Abstract

Although the skin of the head and neck accounts for less than 10 percent of the body surface area, a large proportion of cutaneous malignancies occur in this region. This factor is directly related to the greater amount of actinic radiation this region receives compared with the remainder of the skin surface. In the more than 500,000 patients with nonmelanoma skin cancer treated every year [1], basal and squamous cell carcinomas, in a ratio of 3 to 1, are the most frequently encountered histologic types; they usually occur on areas such as the nose, ear, and forehead that receive the greatest amount of sun exposure [2]. As a result of greater sun exposure in occupational and recreational activities, the incidence of skin cancer seems to be increasing and the initial age at presentation decreasing. About 50 percent of patients are older than 65, and 25% have multiple lesions [3]. The median delay between occurrence of initial symptoms to the patient’s presentation for treatment is three years. Skin cancer incidence also varies with geography, climate, and skin color, fair-skinned persons of Scandinavian descent being especially susceptible.

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Authors
  1. Randal S. Weber
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  2. Scott M. Lippman
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  3. Marsha D. McNeese
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Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Medical Oncology—M211, Department of Medicine, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, 94305, USA

    Charlotte Jacobs M.D.

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© 1990 Kluwer Academic Publishers, Boston

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Weber, R.S., Lippman, S.M., McNeese, M.D. (1990). Advanced Basal and Squamous Cell Carcinomas of the Skin of the Head and Neck. In: Jacobs, C. (eds) Carcinomas of the Head and Neck. Cancer Treatment and Research, vol 52. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1499-8_5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4613-1499-8_5

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4612-8806-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4613-1499-8

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