[Occupationally-induced skin tumors in East Germany. Increased risk of basalioma in furriers and hide processors?].

The percentage of occupational cancer is only 0.5% of all tumors in the German Democratic Republic. International estimations are higher (4 to 38%). From 1981 to 1985 49 skin tumors (32 squamous cell tumors and 17 basal cell cancers) were accepted as occupationally induced disease in 47 patients. No tumors were registered in 5 of the 15 counties of the GDR. The occupational histories were analysed in 300 basalioma patients and 600 citizens of the same sex and age. The risk of getting a basalioma was significantly higher in the group of furriers than in the control population. It is recommended to accept a basalioma as occupational cancer in case of contact with carcinogens in furriers.