Clinicopathological profile, diagnosis and treatment of skin cancers at a tertiary care center: a retrospective study

Abstract

INTRODUCTIONMalignant skin lesions have become increasingly prevalent over the past several years. In United States, approximately 5.4 million cases of non-melanoma skin cancers are treated in 2012.1 Skin cancer account for more than 40% of all malignancies. Majority of skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and melanoma which account for more than 95% of total skin malignancies. 1The incidence in males in Delhi for malignant melanoma is 0.29% and 0.90% for other skin cancers. The incidence ABSTRACT Background: Majority of skin cancers are basal cell carcinoma, Squamous cell carcinoma and Malignant melanoma which account for more than 95% of total skin malignancies. There is an increase in incidence in India over some 10 years of period. This study was done for analysing clinicopathological profile of skin malignancies and association of human papilloma virus (HPV) in skin malignancies in Himalayan Institute of Medical Sciences (HIMS, Uttarakhand, India. Methods: It was a retrospective study done on 101 patients having malignant skin lesions attending the Department of Surgery at HIMS from October 2005 to October 2008 and given their consent. Results: Out of 101 patients, 68 had squamous cell carcinoma, 21 had basal cell carcinoma and 10 had malignant melanoma, prevalence is high in men of lower socioeconomic status (M:F) 1.9:1. The mean age was 54.50 years. Most of the patients were laborers, farmers and factory workers. Ulcers and ulceroproliferative growth were common mode of presentation. Most commonly associated risk factor was exposure to sunlight, the commonest location of skin cancer was face and scalp. Wide local excision was the commonest done procedure with closure of primary defect by SSG, fasciocutaneous or cutaneous flaps. No HPV association was seen. Conclusions: Skin cancers are quite common and their incidence has increased in last few decades, in this study we found that skin cancer were more common in males of lower socioeconomic status, probable cause was increased sun exposure and chemical exposure, in respect to females. Cancer could manifest in many forms but ulcers quite common, Squamous cell carcinoma outnumbered basal cell carcinoma, Wide local excision with skin grafts was main stay of treatment.

Clinicopathological Study of Skin Tumours in Western Rajasthan

“…The lowest occurrence of skin cancer according to their study was 2nd decennium and below. (9) Ivan et al also found similar results. In their study higher incidences on skin tumour were in age group 31-40 years and 41-50 years.…”

“…In their study male to female ratio was 1.9:1. (9) In a consecutive study of four years we found that there were more patients from rural background as compared to urban. Similar results were also present in a study carried out by Kumar et al In their study 76% patients from rural population as compared to urban population.…”

“…(8) Skin cancer is the 5th leading cost of deaths among all the cancers in the world. (9) In India, malignant skin tumours (cancers) constitute about 1-2% of all cancers. Various cancer registries in India reported cumulative incidence of skin cancer varying from 0.5 to 2 per 100000 population.…”

Clinical Spectrum of Cutaneous Malignancies in Central India

“…This head and neck region is under direct effect of prolonged sun exposure. [ 10 13 ] Maximum number of our cases ( n = 30, 46%) were farmers and laborers by occupation who worked outdoors for 6-7 hours daily. The rare sites involved in BCC were popliteal fossa and dorsum of hand.…”

“…have also found sun exposure as the most common risk factor for development of cutaneous malignancies. [ 10 13 ] The role of environmental factors in the causation of skin cancers has been extensively reviewed. UVB radiation is well known as an agent inducing skin cancers in a dose dependent way.…”