Clinicopathological Analysis of Basal Cell Carcinoma of the Skin in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Center

Abstract

Background: Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common skin cancer worldwide representing 70–80% of skin cancers in white populations. However, in sub-Saharan Africa, squamous cell carcinoma takes predominance over basal cell carcinoma as reported by many workers. This study aims at analyzing the prevalence and clinicopathological profile of basal cell carcinoma as well as the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients in a sub-Saharan country. Materials and Methodology: A retrospective and descriptive analyses of all skin biopsies specimen received in the Histopathology department of National Hospital Abuja from January 2004 to December 2019 were carried out. Patients’ data were retrieved from the departmental register and slides reviewed as appropriate. Result: A total of 400 malignant cutaneous neoplasms were diagnosed in the department within the 15-year period. During this time, basal cell carcinoma accounted for 215 cases (52.9 %) of all cutaneous malignancies. A significant portion of the cases (N=58, 27%) were albinos. Males accounted for 113 cases (50.8%) whilst females are 102 in number (49.2%) given a slight male preponderance. The most affected age cohort is the 31 – 45 group with 78 cases (63.9%). The commonest site is the head and neck region with 136 (63.2%) cases. Histologically the predominant subtype of BCC in this study is the keratotic variant (N=41, 19.1%) followed by the sclerosing (N=35, 16.3%) subtype. Conclusion: The incidence of basal cell carcinoma in NHA is higher than in other centers of the country possibly due to large population of albinos attending the NHA. The commonest histological variant is the keratotic subtype