Facial skin cancers among yemenis patients: A prospective hospital-based study

Abstract

Objective: the aim is to study the facial skin cancer among Yemenis, determine the common types, common sites, the pattern of the disease, and the possible risk factors associated with it. Materials and Methods: The study is a prospective descriptive hospital-based study carried out at Al-Gomhori Teaching Hospital in Sana'a. The material consisted of Yemen patients attending the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery and who were diagnosed clinically and histopathologically with having facial skin cancer. Patients who had previous treatment (surgical, radiation, or chemotherapy) or who have recurrent cancer, or who refused to participate in the study were excluded from the study. Results: During the study period, 100 cases of facial skin cancers were seen, 66 cases (66%) were male and 34 cases (34%) were female. The male-to-female ratio was 1.9–1. The majority of patients (94%) were over the age of 40 years, and the peak incidence was the 7th decade of life. Basal cell carcinoma was the most common type accounting for 72% followed by squamous cell carcinoma 27% and malignant melanoma 1%. The infra-orbital region was the most affected site accounting (21%), followed by the naso-labial region and the nose (18%) for each, the temporal region (14%) and the check (12%). Outdoor work was the main risk factor and associated with the development of 70% of facial skin cancer. Conclusion: Facial skin cancers in Yemen still remains the disease of the elderly and deprived patients. The majority of patients (94%) were over the age of 40 years. Males were affected more than females. The male to female ratio was 1.9-1. Basal cell carcinoma was the most common type. Infera-orbital region was the most affected site, followed by the Naso-labial region. Prolonged exposure to sunlight (outdoor work) was the main risk factor that play an important role to development of facial skin cancer among Yemenis.