Abstract
Background: Non-melanoma skin cancers are the most common form of skin cancers in the world. Those at risk for skin cancer are fair-skinned individuals who tan poorly and who have had significant chronic or intermittent sun exposure. There were many reports about the increase in the rates of all cancers including skin cancers in Iraq.
Objectives: To study the frequency and types of skin cancers in Baghdad hospitals.
Patients & Methods: A cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted in seven teaching hospitals from Kurkh and Resafa representing Baghdad city in a period from December 2010 through June 2012. The study includes 577 patients confirmed with various skin tumors. Socio-demographic information, full dermatological examination and skin biopsy was done.
Results: The frequency of skin cancer were 246 (42.6%) from Kurkh, 179 (31.1%) from Resafa; and 152 (26.3%) from others (Those patients from near Baghdad or other distant governorates). They include 356 (61.7%) males and 221 (38.3%) female patients. The commonest age group affected by skin tumors were those > 40 years (89.5%) and only 10.5% < 40 years. The outdoor male were more affected than females. The most frequent tumor was basal cell carcinoma 300 cases (52%) then squamous cell carcinoma 144 cases (25%), malignant melanoma 32 cases (5.5%), Kaposi's sarcoma 23 cases (4%), Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberance 19 cases (3.3%) and other rare tumors.
Conclusion: The rate of skin cancers were more in men than in women patients (M: F 1.6:1). The outdoor patients were more affected than indoor patients. The rate of skin cancers in Baghdad city was higher than what reported by Ministry of Health. Basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma were the most common skin cancers among patients followed by malignant melanoma and Kaposi sarcoma.
Objectives: To study the frequency and types of skin cancers in Baghdad hospitals.
Patients & Methods: A cross-sectional hospital based study was conducted in seven teaching hospitals from Kurkh and Resafa representing Baghdad city in a period from December 2010 through June 2012. The study includes 577 patients confirmed with various skin tumors. Socio-demographic information, full dermatological examination and skin biopsy was done.
Results: The frequency of skin cancer were 246 (42.6%) from Kurkh, 179 (31.1%) from Resafa; and 152 (26.3%) from others (Those patients from near Baghdad or other distant governorates). They include 356 (61.7%) males and 221 (38.3%) female patients. The commonest age group affected by skin tumors were those > 40 years (89.5%) and only 10.5% < 40 years. The outdoor male were more affected than females. The most frequent tumor was basal cell carcinoma 300 cases (52%) then squamous cell carcinoma 144 cases (25%), malignant melanoma 32 cases (5.5%), Kaposi's sarcoma 23 cases (4%), Dermatofibrosarcoma protuberance 19 cases (3.3%) and other rare tumors.
Conclusion: The rate of skin cancers were more in men than in women patients (M: F 1.6:1). The outdoor patients were more affected than indoor patients. The rate of skin cancers in Baghdad city was higher than what reported by Ministry of Health. Basal cell carcinoma and Squamous cell carcinoma were the most common skin cancers among patients followed by malignant melanoma and Kaposi sarcoma.