Risk of basal cell and squamous cell carcinoma in persons with prior cutaneous melanoma

BACKGROUND. Melanoma has been associated with an overall increase in actinic tumors, including actinic keratoses, as well as with noncutaneous malignancies. OBJECTIVE. Determine the risk of developing basal cell and squamous cell skill cancer in patients with prior cutaneous melanoma (actinic keratoses not encountered). METHODS. This retrospective study included 1396 white patients with prior cutaneous melanoma followed at the Roswell Park Cancer Institute in the period 1977-1978. The control group was the white population of the Detroit area in the same period (1977-1978). RESULTS. A total of 25 patients (18 males, 7 females) developed 35 basal cell and/or squamous cell carcinomas: 18 developed basal cell carcinomas, 2 squamous cell carcinomas, and 5 both. The calculated odds ratio was 3.49 (males 3.67, females 2.86, 95% confidence interval 1.52-8.00). No correlations were found with age, type, anatomic site, and length of follow-up of cutaneous melanoma. CONCLUSION. A history of cutaneous melanoma significantly increases the risk of basal cell and squamous cell skin cancer.