Histopathological review of dermatological malignancies in Makurdi, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: Dermatological malignancies are among the common forms of cancer worldwide, especially Caucasians, and are noted to be in the skins of Africans and Negroid. The study aims to determine the frequency and patterns of dermatological malignancies in Benue State University Teaching Hospital (BSUTH), Makurdi, Nigeria. Methods: This was a 5-year retrospective study of skin samples seen at the Department of Anatomical Pathology, BSUTH, Makurdi, between March 2012 and February 2017. Results: A total of 215 skin biopsies were seen at the department during the study. Of these, 151 cases were dermatological malignancies constituting 70.2% of all skin lesions. Majority of these malignancies occurred between the fourth and fifth decades with a male-to-female ratio of 1.4:1. Kaposi sarcoma (KS) was the most common dermatological malignancy (n = 78; 52%). Squamous cell carcinoma constituted second majority (n = 30, 20%), followed by malignant melanoma (n = 22.1, 14.7%), dermatofi brosarcoma protuberans (n = 17, 11.3%), and basal cell carcinoma (n = 9, 6%). Leg, foot, and forearm were the common sites affected. Conclusion: KS was the most common dermatological malignancy in the study. Nearly all patients were HIV/AIDS positive. The findings in this study are similar to those from other parts of Africa and Nigeria. Therefore, HIV/AIDS control can substantially reduce the incidence, morbidity, and mortality of KS.