BASAL CELL CARCINOMA: DIAGNOSED CASES IN DERMATOLOGY MATRIX SUPPORT IN PRIMARY HEALTH CARE

INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: The basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignant neoplasm, being 75% of all skin cancers and due to its invasive and destructive nature, a growing need of diagnosis and treatment of BCC in Primary Health Care was observed over the years. Since 1996, in Brazil, the Extension Project “(des)Mancha Brasil” has aimed to allocate graduation students in the Primary Health System (PHS) / Family’s Health Strategy (FHS) where practical training in Dermatology has been held, integrating those students, interns and residents of Dermatology. The program increases diagnosis accuracy, which allows the decentralization of healthcare. METHODS: Between 2010 and 2015, 2670 people were examined in 144 sessions of Dermatology. The pacients were previously selected by Family Doctors. 58 clinical diagnoses of BCC (later confirmed histopathologically) were performed. The lesions sizes ranged from 01 to 2.8 cm in greatest diameter, all located on the face. The average time to progression reported by patients ranged from 1 to 3 years. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: Histopathological examination is crucial for the diagnosis of any lesion of neoplastic nature. The evolution is extremely slow. There are several therapeutic possibilities, but Early diagnosis is indispensable. Despite the good prognosis, BCC lesions have a significant destructive power over the years. The detection of suspected cases within the PHS enables early and rapid surgical intervention to cure the patients.