A Clinicopathological Study of Skin Tumors from a Tertiary Care Centre in North India

Abstract

Background: There is a huge spectrum of skin tumors which can be confused clinically with malignancies, particularly when they are pigmented or inflamed, and histopathological examination of a biopsy specimen is required to establish a definitive diagnosis and to facilitate appropriate intervention and follow up. Aim: To evaluate all skin tumors and categorize them according to their origin. Methods: The present study was conducted over a period of 4 years (July 1, 2013 to June 31, 2017) comprising of 1.5 years prospective and 2.5 years retrospective analysis in the departments of Dermatology and Pathology, at a tertiary hospital in North India. All specimens of skin tumors were analyzed grossly and microscopically. Immunohistochemistry was done wherever possible. Results: A total of 232 skin tumors were seen; of which 123 cases were benign (53.0%) and 109 cases were malignant (47.0%). The mean age of patients with benign and malignant skin tumors was 40.3 ± 19.9 and 60.8 ± 14.8 years, respectively. The most common site was face (n = 106; 45.7%) followed by limbs (n = 44; 19.0%). The male:female ratio of benign and malignant tumors was 1.01:1 and 1.31:1, respectively. Among the benign tumors, keratinocytic tumors were the commonest (n = 57; 46.3%) followed by the melanocytic tumors (n = 37; 30.1%) and appendageal tumors (n = 29; 23.6%). The most common malignant skin tumors were the keratinocytic tumors (n = 87; 79.8%) followed by 12 cases (11%) of hematolymphoid tumors and five cases (4.6%) each of melanocytic and appendageal tumors. Limitations: The lack of clinical and dermatoscopic correlation and inclusion of retrospective data are the limitations of this study. Conclusions: Skin tumors affect people of all ages. The benign tumors are seen in the younger age group as compared to malignant tumors. Face is the most common site and keratinocytic tumors are the most common skin tumors in both benign and malignant categories.

Solitary cutaneous neoplasms: analysing the uncertain behaviour with the aid of histopathology

“…The peak incidence was in adult age group in the present study in concordance with the Patel N et al [13], Goel P et al [14] and Shrivastava V et al [15]. Male to female ratio was 1 :1.15 in the current study.…”

“…Our study reported a major involvement of extremities i.e. 43.08%, which wasn't consistent with the findings of Patel N et al [13], Goel P et al [14] and Shrivastava V et al [15] who majorly had head and neck involvement (Table 2).…”

“…In the present study, total of 123 cases analysed, out of which 98 cases (79.67%) were benign and 25 cases (20.32%) were malignant as seen in Patel N et al [13], Goel P et al [14] and Shrivastava V et al [15] who reported 90.7%, 53% and 63.84% of benign tumours and 9.29%, 47% and 36.15% of malignant tumours respectively (Table 2).…”

“…Male to female ratio was 1 :1.15 in the current study. Patel N et al [13] found a male to female ratio of 1.28 :1, Goel P et al [14] reported it to be 1.15 :1 and Shrivastava V et al [15] showed similar results of 1.24:1. Our study reported a major involvement of extremities i.e.…”

“…The studies, Patel N et al [13], Goel P et al [14] and Shrivastava V et al [15] reported that they had benign keratinocytic tumours as the most common benign tumours with 49.27%, 46.3% and 42.3% respectively. Where in this study, benign appendageal tumours were more (59%) when compared to benign keratinocytic tumours constituting a percent of 36.36%.…”