Introduction: Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC), in contrast to skin melanoma (MEL), is considered a negligible health problem because mortality of NMSC is low. The aim of this study was to provide insights into the burden of NMSC and MEL by analysing nationwide skin cancer hospitalization data and data from a dermatologist panel of Germany. We wanted to estimate hospitalization costs due to skin cancer in Germany.
Material and methods: We analysed the most recent nationwide hospitalization data from 2003 and estimated hospitalization costs due to MEL and NMSC. We estimated the annual number of private dermatologist practice visits in Germany due to skin cancer.
Results: In 2003, 20 455 melanoma-related and 41 929 NMSC-related hospitalizations occurred in Germany. Age-standardized hospitalization rates for NMSC were 2.5-fold and 1.8-fold higher among men and women than the rates for MEL, respectively. The age-specific proportions of hospitalizations for NMSC in relation to all cancer-related hospitalizations increased within the age range of 65 years and more. Among people aged 90 years and more, 14% of all cancer-related hospitalizations were due to NMSC. Estimated annual hospitalization costs for MEL were euro50 to 60 million, and those for NMSC were euro105 to 130 million. The estimated number of private dermatologist practice visits in Germany 2003 is considerably higher for NMSC than MEL CONCLUSIONS: Analyses of hospitalizations data and data from private dermatologists give NMSC higher public health relevance than can be obtained from consideration of death statistics.