Site Distribution of Different Types of Cutaneous Malignancy

Background: Dermatological malignancies are relatively uncommon. Since the investigation, at an individual level, of various aspects of lifetime sun exposure, however, remains difficult, comparison of the site distribution and age pattern of different types of skin cancer can be an important source of aetiological clues. This study sought to evaluate the site distribution and age pattern of three main types of skin cancer in our setting.

Methods: The present study is a descriptive analysis of three main skin cancers seen in a tertiary hospital in Davangere. Histologically diagnosed various skin cancers i.e. malignant melanoma (MM), basal-cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous-cell carcinoma (SCC) from January 2005 to December 2009 were reviewed and analyzed according to age, gender and site of distribution.

Results: During the study period forty tissue samples received were histologically confirmed to be of common primary skin cancers. The ages of the patients ranged from 18 and 80 years (mean: 51.4years). Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) was the most common malignancy consisting of 26 (65 %) cases followed by melanoma with 9 (22.5%) cases and basal cell carcinoma (BCC) with 5 (12.5%) cases. The most common incidence was among the age group 40-60 years with 20(50%) cases detected. The head and neck was the commonest site of involvement for SCC and BCC, whereas for melanoma it was lower extremities.

Conclusion: Squamous cell carcinoma, Basal cell carcinoma and malignant melanoma constitute three main histotypes of skin cancer. SCC and BCC compared to malignant melanoma affect body locations which are usually sun exposed. Age-related behavior (i.e., another indirect indicator of duration of exposure to UV light) is consistent with the anatomical distribution of skin cancer.