Skin Cancer in Zaria, Nigeria

Abstract

Skin cancer from 775 patients in the savannah showed a preponderance of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the leg related to neglected, poorly managed and chronic ulcers or scars from burns or injuries. SCC of the head and neck had no predisposing factor. Malignant melanoma overwhelmingly affected the feet, dermatofibrosarcoma affected the trunk and Kaposi sarcoma affected the limbs. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) comprised only 2% of all skin cancers. The 18 albino patients had a higher frequency of both SCC and BCC mostly on the head and neck. Excisional surgery was generally effective, the wounds being closed primarily or by means of flaps and skin grafts. However, 98 patients required amputation below the knee for tibial involvement by SCC. The prognosis and health care costs of skin cancer will only be improved if burns and injuries are adequately treated.

Spectrum of Malignant Skin Lesion in Patients attending Nepalgunj Medical College and Teaching Hospital

“…In our study, head and neck regions were the most common site of malignant tumor and similar findings were noted in other study and also predicted the sun exposure could be the [4][5][6] major e ological factor. One of our case of SCC was in a scar ssue in the right knee, pa ent had history of road traffic accident 12 years back (Figure 2a and 2b).…”

Dermatological malignancies at a University teaching Hospital in Northwestern Tanzania: A retrospective review of 154 cases

“…Plantar melanomas are quite common in sub-Saharan Africa but much less common among African-Americans (Koh, 1991;Ochicha et al, 2004). Previous studies from Tanzania reported Kaposi's sarcoma as the second commonest dermatological malignancy (Amir et al, 1992) whereas Nigerian studies revealed melanomas as more common in Nigeria (Yakubu & Mabogunje, 1995;Adayi & Banjo, 1996;Mandong et al, 2000;Nggada et al, 2003).…”

“…Various reports from the literature show wide variations in the prevalence and histological types of dermatological malignancies (Urbach, 1991;Amir et al, 1992, Yakubu & Mabogunje, 1995Adayi & Banjo, 1996;Mandong et al, 2000;Mann & Russel, 2002;Ochicha et al, 2004). While Basal cell carcinoma is undisputedly the commonest dermatological malignancy among Caucasians in Europe, North America and Australia (Urbach, 1991;Mann & Russel, 2002), several studies in Africa reveal a preponderance of squamous cell carcinoma (Amir et al, 1992;Yakubu & Mabogunje, 1995;Adayi & Banjo, 1996;Mandong et al, 2000;Diepgen & Mahler, 2002).…”

“…While Basal cell carcinoma is undisputedly the commonest dermatological malignancy among Caucasians in Europe, North America and Australia (Urbach, 1991;Mann & Russel, 2002), several studies in Africa reveal a preponderance of squamous cell carcinoma (Amir et al, 1992;Yakubu & Mabogunje, 1995;Adayi & Banjo, 1996;Mandong et al, 2000;Diepgen & Mahler, 2002). Even among Africans there are significant differences in the pattern of skin cancer.…”

“…Sun exposure is the major etiological factor for skin malignancies in whites, whereas the non-solar factors such as chronic ulceration, inflammation and burn scars appear to be the leading risk factors in blacks (Amir et al, 1992;Yakubu & Mabogunje, 1995). Albinism is a risk factor for skin cancer and squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma are the most common dermatological malignancy among African albinos (Kromberg et al, 1989, Yakubu & Mabogunje, 1993.…”