Incidence trends of nonmelanoma skin cancer in Germany from 1998 to 2010

Background and objectives: Nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) is the most common malignant neoplasm in Germany. However, little is known about incidence trends of NMSC and its main subtypes basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in Germany. Material and methods: Cancer registry data from fourteen German federal states was used to estimate age-standardized incidence rates by histologic subtype. Annual percentage changes (APC) were estimated in joinpoint regression models, in order to assess trend shifts in the years from 1998 to 2010. Results: In Germany, incidence rates of NMSC showed a significant increase from 43.1 cases/100 000 in 1998 to 105.2 cases/100 000 in 2010. Incidence rates and incidence increases revealed large regional variations. Basal cell carcinoma was the most common tumor followed by SCC. Men were more frequently affected than women, but incidence increases were steeper in women. Conclusions: Results are consistent with national and international observations. The heterogeneity of incidence rates and their changes among federal states indicate that incidence changes are most likely related to improved case registration practices in German cancer registries.