Keratinocyte Carcinoma Mortality in the United States as Reported in Death Certificates, 2011-2017

Keratinocyte carcinoma (KC) mortality is relatively modest and its measures are subject to considerable error. Deaths due to KC have been decreasing through 2000 and were relatively stable until 2010.

To estimate the KC mortality rates (MRs) from 2011 to 2017 in USA based on death certificates.

A population-based analysis of Center of Disease Control and Prevention data. Main outcomes and measures were the age-adjusted (US 2000 standard population) MRs.

Overall, KC MRs increased significantly (b = 0.04, p < .01). For the period studied, KC MR was 1.24 per 100,000 persons per year (0.62 for sun-exposed sites, 0.38 for genital and 0.23 for perianal sites). At sun-exposed genital and perianal anatomic sites, KC MRs have been increasing in whites, but not in blacks.

There was a 17% decrease in the KC MRs until 2000, followed by an increase of 44% through 2017. The accuracy of KC MRs is uncertain. If indeed the increase in mortality is verified, causes may include an increase in KC incidence, an increase of immunosuppressed populations, and changes in the cause of death documentation.