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Skin malignancies in Calabar, Southern Nigeria

Tumeurs malignes cutanées, Calabar, Nigeria du sud

  • Review Article / Article De Synthèse
  • Published:
Journal africain du cancer / African Journal of Cancer

Abstract

Background

Skin cancers are among the most common form of cancer. In Africa, several reports reveal squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) as the commonest skin malignancy. In Africa, including regions of the same country, there are significant differences in the pattern of skin malignancy. This study sought to evaluate the pattern, risk factors and outcome of management of skin malignancy in our setting.

Methods

Patients with histologic diagnoses of skin malignancy from January 2007 and December 2008 who presented to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital were prospectively studied.

Results

Forty-five patients presented with skin malignancy during the study period. The ages of the patients ranged from 5 and 75 years (mean: 46.6 years). The commonest skin malignancy was SCC in 19 (42.2%) patients while Kaposi sarcoma (KS) ranked second 15 (33.3%). Six patients presented with melanoma, two with metastatic carcinoma, basal cell carcinoma (BCC) two patients and a patient with dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (DFSP). The lower limb was the commonest site involved in 25 (55.6%) patients, while the head and neck 11 (24.4%) ranked second.

Conclusion

SCC was the commonest skin malignancy. Non-solar factors of chronic ulcers in SCC, immunosuppression in KS, were identified as possible risk factors in some malignancies. This is at variance with the experience in Caucasians where solar radiation is the predominant risk factor. However, albinism and solar radiation were identified as risk factors in keeping with the Caucasians. Health education strategies on prevention, early presentation, and surgical evaluation of chronic ulcers would improve outcome.

Résumé

Contexte

Les cancers de la peau sont une des formes de cancer les plus répandues. Plusieurs rapports indiquent que la tumeur maligne cutanée la plus répandue en Afrique est le carcinome malpighien. Les types de tumeurs malignes cutanées diffèrent de manière significative d’un pays d’Afrique à l’autre, et même d’une région à l’autre dans un même pays. Cette étude vise à déterminer les différents types de tumeurs malignes cutanées, les facteurs de risque, leur évolution et leur prise en charge au sein de notre société.

Méthode

Furent soumis à l’étude prospective les patients de l’université de Calabar Teaching Hospital, présentant un diagnostic histologique de tumeur maligne cutanée entre janvier 2007 et décembre 2008.

Résultats

Pendant la durée de l’étude, 45 patients âgés de 5 à 75 ans (moyenne: 46,6 ans) présentaient une tumeur maligne cutanée. La forme la plus répandue était le carcinome malpighien chez 19 patients (42,2 %), suivie du sarcome de Kaposi chez 15 patients (33,3 %). Un mélanome avait été trouvé chez six patients; deux patients présentaient un carcinome métastatique, deux autres un épithélioma basocellulaire et un patient présentait un dermatofibrosarcome de Darier-Ferrand. Les parties du corps concernées étaient principalement les membres inférieurs chez 25 patients (55,6 %), suivies par la tête et le cou chez 11 patients (24,4 %).

Conclusion

La tumeur maligne cutanée la plus répandue était le carcinome malpighien. Ont été identifiés comme facteurs de risque potentiels: les facteurs non solaires des ulcères chroniques pour le carcinome malpighien, l’immunosuppression pour le sarcome de Kaposi. Ces facteurs sont différents pour les Caucasiens pour qui l’exposition au soleil constitue le principal facteur de risque. Toutefois, on retrouve comme facteurs de risque communs l’albinisme et l’exposition solaire. Les stratégies d’éducation sanitaire en matière de prévention, de dépistage précoce et d’évaluation chirurgicale des ulcères chroniques amélioreraient les résultats.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Departments of Surgery, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, PO Box 1891(GPO), Calabar, Nigeria

    M. E. Asuquo, M. S. Umoh, I. A. Ikpeme & O. O. Otei

  2. Departments of Pathology, University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, PO Box 1891(GPO), Calabar, Nigeria

    G. Ebughe & J. Omotoso

Authors
  1. M. E. Asuquo
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  2. M. S. Umoh
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  3. I. A. Ikpeme
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  4. O. O. Otei
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  5. G. Ebughe
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  6. J. Omotoso
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to M. E. Asuquo.

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Asuquo, M.E., Umoh, M.S., Ikpeme, I.A. et al. Skin malignancies in Calabar, Southern Nigeria. J Afr Cancer 1, 159–163 (2009). https://doi.org/10.1007/s12558-009-0030-3

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s12558-009-0030-3

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