Abstract
Background
Radiation from sunlight may play a role in the clinical presentation of head and neck skin cancers in albinos. This study assesses the clinical presentation of such cancers and outcome of basic surgical treatment without primary repair of resulting defects.
Methods
An analysis of sites from head and neck affected by cancers using traditional anatomical landmarks was carried out. The frequency of involvement of each division in malignant skin changes was also documented and compared.
Results
The eyes were not involved with any malignancy. With the head and neck region partitioned by a transverse line using the lateral canthus of the eye as landmark, the superior portion was found to be involved in 209 lesions, all (100 %) of which were successfully treated. The inferior portion had 119 but enjoyed 92.4 % success rate. With the head and neck region partitioned in the coronal plane using the lateral canthus of the eye as landmark, the posterior portion was involved in 282 lesions, of which 273 (96.8 %) were successfully treated. The anterior portion was involved in 46 lesions, all (100 %) of which were successfully treated.
Conclusions
Hair appears to protect the skin beneath it from actinic damage and cancers among albinos. Failed treatment was recorded only among lesions on the cheek and neck.
Level of evidence: Level IV, risk / prognostic study.
This is a preview of subscription content, log in via an institution to check access.
Similar content being viewed by others
References
Opara KO, Jiburum BC (2010) Skin cancers in albinos in a teaching Hospital in eastern Nigeria - presentation and challenges of care. World J Surg Oncol 8:73
Yakubu A, Mabogunje O (1993) Skin cancer in African albinos. Acta Oncol 32(6):621–622
Mabula JB, Chalya PL, Mchembe MD, Jaka H, Giiti G, Rambau P, Masalu N, Kamugisha E, Robert S, Gilyoma JM (2012) Skin cancers among Albinos at a University teaching hospital in Northwestern Tanzania: a retrospective review of 64 cases. Dermatology 12:5
Hong ES, Zeeb H, Repacholi MH (2006) Albinism in Africa as a public health issue. BMC Public Health 6(1):212
Aluko-Olokun B, Olaitan AA, Mike-Ogiasa RI, Aluko-Olokun OA, Adenaike FS, Ibukun-Obaro O, Alade OA (2015) Cause of death among head and neck skin cancer patients in a Nigerian hospital: significance of the cranium. Eur J Plast Surg 38(2):103–108
Genden EM, Kao J, Parker SH (2008) Carcinoma of the oral cavity. In Genden E.M, Varvares M.A (eds). Head and neck cancer: An evidence-based team-approach, New York: Thieme p.8. ISBN:978-1-58890-636-6
Acknowledgments
We are indebted to Dr. Godwin Biachi, and Dr. Amos Vaachia, Dr. Sadiya Nuru Yakubu, and Dr. Chijioke Emedike for their clinical assistance.
Conflict of interest
Bayo Aluko-Olokun, Ademola Abayomi Olaitan, Regina Enubi Morgan, Oluseun Abidemi Aluko-Olokun, Chinwe Kenechukwu Umerah, Oluwaseyi Ibukun-Obaro, Funmilola Seun Adenaike, Uchechukwu Nneka Shagaya, Tosin Olayemi Babarinde declare that they have no conflict of interest.
Patient consent
Consent for inclusion in this study was given by all patients. Further written informed consent was obtained for the use of images of patients in this article.
Ethical standards
This study has been carried out with approval from ethical committee of National Hospital Abuja in accordance with the ethical standards set forth in the 1964 Declaration of Helsinki and its later amendments. However, for this retrospective study a formal consent is not required.
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Corresponding author
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Aluko-Olokun, B., Olaitan, A.A., Morgan, R.E. et al. Clinical presentation of head and neck skin malignancies among albinos and value of basic surgical intervention. Eur J Plast Surg 39, 23–28 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-015-1123-0
Received:
Accepted:
Published:
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00238-015-1123-0