Epidemiology of Non-Melanoma Skin Cancer in Europe over the Last Decade: A Systematic Review
In brief
A 24-source review finds rising non-melanoma skin cancer rates in some European populations
Several registry studies reported increasing rates of basal cell or cutaneous squamous cell cancer, but trends varied by place, age, sex, and time period; the review does not show a uniform rise across Europe. Incomplete registration, especially in Poland, and pandemic-era shifts in diagnoses complicate interpretation, making better histology-specific and outpatient reporting essential for tracking the burden.
- Journal
- Cancers (Q1)
- Published
- 14 September 2026
- Study design
- Systematic review of cohort studies
- Evidence level
- Level 2, Moderate (CEBM 2a)
- Authors
- Andrzej Ciborek, Hanna Krauss, Zuzanna Chęcińska-Maciejewska, Dariusz Kowalczyk, Jolanta Jaworek
- PMID
- 42794936
- DOI
- 10.3390/cancers18182970
Why clinicians should know about it
- Picked for Dermatology (paper of the day, 28 September 2026): Systematic review of non‑melanoma skin cancer epidemiology
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), principally basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma (cSCC), is incompletely captured by cancer surveillance. OBJECTIVE: To synthesize European epidemiological evidence, with Poland considered in this context. METHODS: PubMed/MEDLINE, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched for publications dated 1 January 2015-31 March 2026, supplemented by registry resources and reference-list searching. Additional eligibility checks during manuscript revision continued until 30 August 2026. The publication-date criterion was distinct from the observation periods of source data. Source-level methodological appraisal informed a descriptive synthesis. RESULTS: The consolidated selection record comprised 198 records, 165 screened records, 61 full-text assessments, 37 full-text exclusions, and 24 included sources. Several registry-based studies reported increasing BCC or cSCC incidence in defined populations. Model-based age-standardized trends varied by geography, sex, age, and observation period. These results do not establish a uniform European increase. Polish estimates were affected by histological aggregation and incomplete ascertainment. Selected pandemic-period studies reported fewer diagnoses or changes in the treated case mix; these findings do not establish a Europe-wide decline in biological incidence or subsequent rebound. CONCLUSIONS: NMSC creates a substantial and incompletely measured European burden. Histology-specific registration, explicit multiple-primary counting rules, and improved outpatient capture are priorities for interpreting trends and planning care.
Abstract as published, via PubMed.
For healthcare professionals. The summary is generated by AI from the published abstract, and the evidence level is assigned automatically from the study design on the Oxford CEBM hierarchy. Neither is medical advice. Read the full paper before changing practice.