Clinico-pathologic profile of skin cancers in oculocutaneous albinism at Universitas Academic Hospital
Background: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a genetic disorder found worldwide. Skin cancer is a significant risk for people with albinism, particularly in Africa, where it is a major cause of death. Many patients delay seeking medical care until their skin lesions are in advanced stages. Aim: The...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | Afrikaans |
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AOSIS
2025-04-01
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| Series: | Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences |
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| Online Access: | https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2906 |
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| author | Molikuoa Harriet Makuru Frans Maruma Edward Ngwenya Kelvin Mponda |
| author_facet | Molikuoa Harriet Makuru Frans Maruma Edward Ngwenya Kelvin Mponda |
| author_sort | Molikuoa Harriet Makuru |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Background: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a genetic disorder found worldwide. Skin cancer is a significant risk for people with albinism, particularly in Africa, where it is a major cause of death. Many patients delay seeking medical care until their skin lesions are in advanced stages.
Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the clinico-pathological profile of skin cancers in patients with albinism at their initial presentation to our dermatology outpatient department.
Setting: This study was conducted at the dermatology department of Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein, South Africa.
Methods: A retrospective descriptive study covering June 2009 to July 2019 was conducted. Only records of oculo-cutaneous albinism patients diagnosed with skin cancer during their initial visit were included.
Results: Eighty-six patients with albinism were recorded, 37% (n = 32) of whom had skin cancer at their first visit. Females (81%) were more affected than males (19%). The majority of skin cancers were squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) (54%) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) (46%). No melanomas were found. Most SCCs were classified as aggressive (80.4%), compared to 30.8% of BCCs.
Conclusion: Almost 40% of OCA patients presented with skin cancer at their initial visit, highlighting the need for strengthening primary healthcare systems’ efficiency in ensuring early referrals for OCA patients.
Contribution: Education, socioeconomic support and awareness campaigns are sine qua non actionable factors that could help encourage early medical evaluation for all OCA patients. |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj-art-4e5c9ecd524d4bb8aaaf0432b9560187 |
| institution | OA Journals |
| issn | 1025-9848 2071-9736 |
| language | Afrikaans |
| publishDate | 2025-04-01 |
| publisher | AOSIS |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences |
| spelling | doaj-art-4e5c9ecd524d4bb8aaaf0432b95601872025-08-20T02:14:03ZafrAOSISHealth SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences1025-98482071-97362025-04-01300e1e610.4102/hsag.v30i0.29061248Clinico-pathologic profile of skin cancers in oculocutaneous albinism at Universitas Academic HospitalMolikuoa Harriet Makuru0Frans Maruma1Edward Ngwenya2Kelvin Mponda3Department of Dermatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, BloemfonteinDepartment of Dermatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of the Free State, BloemfonteinDepartment of Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery, Faculty of Health sciences, University of Pretoria, PretoriaDepartment of Dermatology, Queen Elizabeth Central Hospital, BlantyreBackground: Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a genetic disorder found worldwide. Skin cancer is a significant risk for people with albinism, particularly in Africa, where it is a major cause of death. Many patients delay seeking medical care until their skin lesions are in advanced stages. Aim: The aim of this study was to describe the clinico-pathological profile of skin cancers in patients with albinism at their initial presentation to our dermatology outpatient department. Setting: This study was conducted at the dermatology department of Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein, South Africa. Methods: A retrospective descriptive study covering June 2009 to July 2019 was conducted. Only records of oculo-cutaneous albinism patients diagnosed with skin cancer during their initial visit were included. Results: Eighty-six patients with albinism were recorded, 37% (n = 32) of whom had skin cancer at their first visit. Females (81%) were more affected than males (19%). The majority of skin cancers were squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) (54%) and basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) (46%). No melanomas were found. Most SCCs were classified as aggressive (80.4%), compared to 30.8% of BCCs. Conclusion: Almost 40% of OCA patients presented with skin cancer at their initial visit, highlighting the need for strengthening primary healthcare systems’ efficiency in ensuring early referrals for OCA patients. Contribution: Education, socioeconomic support and awareness campaigns are sine qua non actionable factors that could help encourage early medical evaluation for all OCA patients.https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2906oculocutaneous albinism (oca)skin cancerscc (squamous cell carcinoma)bcc (basal cell carcinoma)melanoma |
| spellingShingle | Molikuoa Harriet Makuru Frans Maruma Edward Ngwenya Kelvin Mponda Clinico-pathologic profile of skin cancers in oculocutaneous albinism at Universitas Academic Hospital Health SA Gesondheid: Journal of Interdisciplinary Health Sciences oculocutaneous albinism (oca) skin cancer scc (squamous cell carcinoma) bcc (basal cell carcinoma) melanoma |
| title | Clinico-pathologic profile of skin cancers in oculocutaneous albinism at Universitas Academic Hospital |
| title_full | Clinico-pathologic profile of skin cancers in oculocutaneous albinism at Universitas Academic Hospital |
| title_fullStr | Clinico-pathologic profile of skin cancers in oculocutaneous albinism at Universitas Academic Hospital |
| title_full_unstemmed | Clinico-pathologic profile of skin cancers in oculocutaneous albinism at Universitas Academic Hospital |
| title_short | Clinico-pathologic profile of skin cancers in oculocutaneous albinism at Universitas Academic Hospital |
| title_sort | clinico pathologic profile of skin cancers in oculocutaneous albinism at universitas academic hospital |
| topic | oculocutaneous albinism (oca) skin cancer scc (squamous cell carcinoma) bcc (basal cell carcinoma) melanoma |
| url | https://hsag.co.za/index.php/hsag/article/view/2906 |
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