Iraqi Postgraduate Medical Journal

Abstract

ABSTRACT:

BACKGROUND:
Nonmelanoma skin cancer is the most common cancer in humans especially with lighter skinned individuals and ultraviolet exposure which are the major predisposing risk factors. There are many reports of increased frequency of skin cancer among Iraqi individuals.
OBJECTIVE:
To study the frequency of skin cancer in Iraqi patients.
PATIENTS AND METHODS:
This is a retrospective study, conducted in the outpatient clinic of dermatology center at Baghdad Teaching Hospital from the beginning of January 2013 to the end of December 2018. A total of 365 biopsies proved histopathologically as malignant skin cancer were included in the study. RESULTS:
Basal cell carcinoma accounted for 37.3% (n=136), mean age was 63±13 years. Squamous cell carcinoma represented 16.2% (n=59), mean age was 61±15 years. Mycosis fungoid frequency was 15% (n=55) with a mean age of 47±16 years. Kaposi sarcoma was 10.1% (n=37), mean age 64±15 years. Cutaneous metastasis represented 7.8% (n=29) with mean age of 64±5 years. Patients with malignant melanoma were 4.3% (n=16), mean age was 50±19 years. Other less commonly skin malignancies represented 9.3% (n=33).
CONCLUSION:
The most frequent primary skin cancer is nonmelanoma skin cancer followed by mycosis fungoides, Kaposi Sarcoma and malignant melanoma, respectively. The most common origin of skin metastasis is breast carcinoma.
KEYWORDS: Skin cancer, Iraq, Metastasis