Dermatological malignancies in Kano, Northern Nigeria: a histopathological review

Background: Globally, dermatological malignancies are among the most common form of cancer but there has been no formal study in our locality. Method: This is a five year (1998-2002) retrospective review of 125 histologically diagnosed skin malignancies to document the pattern of skin cancer in Kano, the largest city in Northern Nigeria. Results: Malignant skin tumours comprised 12.7% of all histologically diagnosed cancers. As in other Negroid populations, squamous cell carcinoma was the most common constituting 40%, followed by melanomas comprising 34%. Cutaneous malignancies were most prevalent in the 6th and 7th decades of life and males were slightly preponderant (M: F = 1.2:1). The lower limbs were the most frequent site accounting for 70% of all malignant cutaneous neoplasms. Conclusion: Our findings were similar to most studies from other parts of Africa but significantly at variance with Caucasian populations in the developed world. Proper wound care, protective footwear and human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) control can substantially reduce the incidence, morbidity and mortality of skin cancer in Kano. Key Words: Skin cancer, squamous cell carcinoma, melanoma Annals of African Medicine Vol.3(4) 2004: 188-19