Malignant transformation of actinic keratoses to squamous cell carcinoma in an albino

Abstract

A 25-year-old male, who was a known case of oculocutaneous albinism presented to us with right inguinal swellings of six months' duration. He gave a preceding history of a similar lump in the right thigh, which was excised at the Chennai Government Hospital. He was diagnosed to have oculocutaneous albinism with actinic keratoses, with multiple squamous cell carcinomas (with metastatic deposits in the right inguinal region) and cutaneous horns. The case is reported to highlight preventive aspects in the management of albinos.

Skin cancers in albinos in a teaching Hospital in eastern Nigeria - presentation and challenges of care

“…It has an estimated frequency of 1 in 20000 in most populations with the highest incidence of 6.3 per 1000 reported among the Cuna Indians [2,3]. In Africa, incidences ranging from 1 in 2,700 to 1 in 10,000 have been reported in various studies [4-7].…”

Multiple basal cell carcinomas in a patient of oculocutaneous albinism

“…[1] Albinos commonly develop squamous cell carcinoma. [23] Other less frequently encountered malignancies are basal cell carcinoma, dysplastic nevus, and melanoma. Basal cell carcinoma in albino skin is rarely reported in the Indian subcontinent and we could trace only one case report from India upon literature survey.…”

Was skin cancer a selective force for black pigmentation in early hominin evolution?

“…As in Africans with albinism, there are no other recorded common causes of premature death other than cancer. There are anecdotal reports of SCC in albinos in other regions of low latitude-Southern India [135], Papua New Guinea [136]-and high altitude-Nepal [137]. The conclusion that can be drawn is that white-skinned albinos with chronic exposure to high UVB levels are, particularly if untreated, more likely than not to die from skin cancer during their reproductively active years.…”