Background & Objective : Malignant skin tumors are highly prevalent cancers all over the world. Iran can be regarded as an area in which skin malignancies are so common because of severe sunlight, and occupational requirements of farmers with long exposure to sunlight. This study was an attempt to evaluate the frequency of malignant skin tumors in Urmia.

  Methods : In this descriptive and retrospective study 61496 pathological reports collected from pathology centers in Urmia between March 1991 and March 2001 were examined. Among these reports, 1099 cases with skin malignancies (including BCC, SCC and CMM) were identified and classified based on factors such as age, sex, job, the location of lesion and patient ’ s, residential area. In order to accomplish the incomplete data, the researchers referred to cancer registry center in health deputy of the province.

  Results : Among 1099 cases, 1076 patients (97.9%) had solitary lesion and 23 cases (2.1%) had multiple lesions. The ratio of male to female is 1.7:1 in all skin tumors. Most patients were farmers (28.02%). BCC was mainly observed on nose (26.2%), SCC was around mouth (36.78%) and CMM was mostly in extremities (45.09%). BCC was mostly on upper half of the face and SCC on the lower half. Most patients age ranged from 60 to 69 years. BCC was the most common histopathological type of tumors (71.62 %). 52.61% of patients lived in Urmia and the rest were from other cities. Comparing the first and second 5-Year periods of this research indicated a 25% increase in the frequency of tumors.

 Conclusions: According to the increased incidence of malignant skin tumors in this area some measures should be taken to prevent this disease, reduce the risk factors and diagnose these tumors earlier.