Clinico-epidemiological profile of skin cancer in South Western Nigeria

Q: What was the main objective of the study on skin cancer in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria?

The study evaluated the pattern of skin cancer presentation in Ibadan and determined the risk factors and presentation patterns.

Q: Which risk factors were most common among patients in the study?

Trauma (18.3%) and albinism (15.9%) were the most common risk factors reported.

Q: What stage and anatomical sites were most frequently observed?

Most respondents presented with locally advanced disease (43.7%) and metastatic disease (22.2%). The lower limb (59.9%) was the most commonly affected site, with head and neck (22.0%) also frequent.

Sep 21, 2026

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Skin cancer is among the most common cancers, with rising incidence in both Caucasian and African populations but differing presentation patterns. This study evaluated the pattern of skin cancer presentation in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria, aiming to determine risk factors and clinical presentation. Hospital record data with histological diagnoses from 2001–2010 were extracted and analyzed. Results showed 126 cases, including common trauma and albinism and frequent locally advanced, metastatic disease.

LanguageEnglish

CategoryResearch & Report

FormatPDF

Pages6

Reading Time15 min

AccessFree to download

Abstract

Background

Methods

Results

Conclusion

Introduction

ORIGINAL RESEARCH Clinico-epidemiological profile of skin cancer in SouthWestern Nigeria Vitalis Chukwuemeka Okwor1, Ayorinde Folasire2, Chika Juliet Okwor3*, Kenneth Nwankwo1, Atara Ntekim2, Chinedu Simeon Arua4 1. Department of Radiation and Clinical Oncology, University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria 2. Department of Radiation Oncology, College of Medicine, University of Ibadan, Oyo, Nigeria 3. Department of Chemical Pathology, College of Medicine Ituku/Ozalla Campus, University of Nigeria/University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital, Ituku/Ozalla, Enugu, Nigeria 4. Department of Radiation Medicine, University of Abuja Teaching Hospital, Gwagwalada Abuja, Nigeria *Corresponding Author: Okwor Chika Juliet ; [E-mail: Juliet.okwor@unn.edu.ng](E-mail: Juliet.okwor@unn.edu.ng) Abstract Background Skin cancer is one of the most common forms of cancer. The incidence of skin cancer is on the increase among Caucasians and Africans, though there are significant differences in the pattern of presentation. This study sought to evaluate the pattern of skin cancer presentation in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria. The objective of the study was to determine the risk factors and pattern of presentation. Methods Data extraction forms were used to obtain information from the hospital records of patients with histological diagnoses of skin cancer between January 2001 and December 2010. The study took place at the Radiation Oncology Department, University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria. Results A total of 126 cases were identified. The age range of patients was from 7 to 98 years, with a mean age of 46.6 years. The male-tofemale ratio was 1.5:1. The peak age of incidence was between 40 and 49 years old. Of the risk factors, trauma (18.3%) and albinism (15.9%) were the most common. Squamous cell carcinoma (63%) was the most common histological sub-type recorded. The majority of the respondents presented with locally advanced (43.7%) and metastatic (22.2%) stages. The lower limb (59.9%) and head and neck region (22.0%) were the most commonly affected sites. The lungs (46.4%) were the most common site of distant metastases, followed by the liver (21.4%), and the brain (7.1%) was the least common site of metastasis. Conclusion The finding that majority of the respondents in this study presented with locally advanced and metastatic disease buttresses the need for public awareness programs to ensure uptake of preventive measures by the populace and emphasizes the need for early presentation. Keywords: Skin cancer, Nigeria, Incidence Introduction Skin cancer is characterized by the growth of abnormal cells capable of invading and destroying other associated skin cells. Although each cell type in the skin is liable to give rise to a different type of neoplastic tumor, skin cancer is conveniently classified into melanoma and non-melanoma skin cancers (NMSC)1. Melanoma is the most severe form of skin cancer. It is an aggressive and often fatal type of cancer that arises from transformed melanocytes (melaninproducing cells)2. The non-melanoma group encompasses all other skin cancers and has a clinical course ranging from indolent to very aggressive depending on the histological type3. Worldwide the incidence for NMSC varies widely with the highest rates in Australia [>1000/100, 000 person-years for basal cell carcinoma (BCC)] and the lowest rates in parts of Africa (< 1/100, 000 person-years for BCC)4. The two common forms of non-melanoma skin cancer are squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma. The pattern of dermatological malignancies in Nigeria showed that squamous cell carcinoma is the most common histology type5. This is in contrast with what is seen in caucasian population in which 80% of the lesions are basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 20% are squamous cell carcinoma (SCC)6. BCC and SCC make up 99% of all NMSC, with BCC occurring 3 to 5 times more common than SCC in the USA7, 8.

FAQs

What was the main objective of the study on skin cancer in Ibadan, south-west Nigeria?

The study evaluated the pattern of skin cancer presentation in Ibadan and determined the risk factors and presentation patterns.

Which risk factors were most common among patients in the study?

Trauma (18.3%) and albinism (15.9%) were the most common risk factors reported.

What stage and anatomical sites were most frequently observed?

Most respondents presented with locally advanced disease (43.7%) and metastatic disease (22.2%). The lower limb (59.9%) was the most commonly affected site, with head and neck (22.0%) also frequent.

Sep 21, 2026

Uploaded by Ophelia