Abstract: Juvenile xanthogranuloma is the most common form of non-Langerhans cell histiocytosis. It manifests clinically as a red-yellow papule, usually showing spontaneous remission. The diagnosis is based on clinical and histological findings. We report the use of dermoscopy ("setting sun" pattern) as an adjuvant tool in the diagnosis of juvenile xanthogranuloma in a female patient presenting with a 2-month history of a pre-auricular papule.

FUNDAMENTOS: O câncer de pele é mais comum nas populações de pele branca. Quanto aos tumores de pele, o CBC é o mais freqüente. Das lesões pré-cancerosas, a que ocorre com mais freqüência é a ceratose actínica, que se torna maligna em percentual variável de 20 a 25% dos casos. OBJETIVO: Analisar a ocorrência e os locais do corpo mais acometidos por lesões cancerosas de pele e também pela ceratose actínica. MÉTODOS: Estudo retrospectivo que analisou, em 2002, biópsias de pele de 491 pacientes com diagnóstico de ceratose actínica, CBC, CEC ou melanoma, resultando em 531 diagnósticos registrados pelo Serviço de Anatomia Patológica de um hospital universitário de Curitiba. RESULTADOS: Em amostra de 270 (54,99%) mulheres e 221 (45,01%) homens, o CBC (58,46% - 114/195) e o melanoma (61,5% - 16/26), assim como a ceratose actínica (60,79% - 107/176), acometeram mais o sexo feminino. O CEC prevaleceu no sexo masculino (64,39% - 61/94). Dos 531 diagnósticos, 62,90% (334) apontaram tumores malignos de pele, sendo o CBC o mais encontrado (39,74% - 211), e correspondendo 37,10% (197) à ceratose actínica. Quanto à localização das lesões, houve maior acometimento na extremidade cefálica, que atingiu 50,47% (268) dos casos. Em relação ao melanoma, três localizações foram mais prevalentes (dorso, região malar e pé), cada uma com 11,50% (3/26). CONCLUSÕES: O CBC foi o tumor mais encontrado nos laudos analisados. O sexo feminino foi o mais acometido. Houve maior prevalência nas sexta e sétima décadas. A extremidade cefálica foi a localização mais comum das lesões estudadas, com exceção do melanoma, que ocorreu mais no dorso, região malar e pé

BACKGROUND: Skin cancer is the most common cancer in Caucasians. It is estimated that there are one million new cases a year of nonmelanoma skin cancer (Basal Cell Carcinoma - BCC and Squamous Cell Carcinoma - SCC) all over the world. Regarding skin tumors, BCC is the most frequent. Among precancerous lesions, Actinic Keratosis - AK is the most common. OBJECTIVE: To analyze the incidence and parts of the body most affected by cancerous skin lesions and also Actinic Keratosis in our environment. METHODS: Retrospective study that analyzed skin biopsies of 491 patients with a diagnosis of AK, BCC, SCC or melanoma, resulting in 531 diagnoses registered by Pathologic Anatomy Service of Evangelical Hospital in Curitiba during 2002. RESULTS: Regarding sex, 270 were female (54.99%) and 221 were male (45.01%). BCC (58.46% - 114/195) and melanoma (61.5% - 16/26) were most prevalent among females, as well as AK dermatosis (60.79% - 107/176). SCC were prevalent in males (64.39% - 61/94). From 531 diagnoses, 62.90% (334) were malignant skin tumors. The most common tumor was BCC (39.74% - 211). In relation to dermatosis, 37.10% (197) corresponded to AK. The mean age was 59.81 years old. In relation to the location of the lesions, there was a higher occurrence in the cephalic extremity with 50.47% (268) of the cases. The most affected areas (11.50% - 3/26) in melanoma were the malar region, back and feet. CONCLUSIONS: BCC was the most common tumor. The prevalence was higher in the 6th decade of life. Females were most affected. Cephalic extremity was the most common location among the studied lesions, except for melanoma, which prevailed in the malar region back and feet.