Skin malignancy of the head and neck in Calabar, Southern Nigeria

Abstract

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the most common malignant skin tumour in sub-Saharan Africa in contrast to Caucasians in whom basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is most frequent. We evaluated all patients with a histologic diagnosis of skin malignancy of the head and neck presenting to the University of Calabar Teaching Hospital, Calabar from January 2005 through December 2008. This was compared with total skin malignancy during the same period. Seventy patients presented with skin malignancy during the study period. The 15 patients with lesions located on the head and neck accounted for 21% of skin malignancy seen during the same period. SCC 7 (46%) ranked first while the second was Kaposi sarcoma (KS), 4 (27%), all human immunodeficiency virus seropositive. Others were BCC 3 (20%) and dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans in one patient. They ranged in age from 21–65 years (mean 33.3 years) with seven males and eight females. The seven albinos (SCC-6, BCC-1) accounted for 47% of skin malignancy. Albinism no solar radiation, immunosuppression (KS) were identified risk factors. Implementation of public education strategies such as prevention, early identification, and treatment would improve prognosis.