Primary cutaneous malignancies in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa : a retrospective histopathological review

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Authors

York, K.
Dlova, N.C.
Wright, Caradee Yael
Khumalo, N.P.
Kellett, P.E.
Kassanjee, R.
Mosam, A.

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Journal ISSN

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Health and Medical Publishing Group

Abstract

BACKGROUND. Excessive sun exposure and a high prevalence of HIV increase skin cancer risk in South Africa (SA). OBJECTIVE. To describe the nature and extent of skin cancers presenting in the public and private health sectors of the Northern Cape Province of SA. METHODS. A retrospective analysis of histologically confirmed new primary cutaneous malignancies from 1 January 2008 to 31 December 2012 was conducted using public and private health sector databases. Types, quantity and distribution of common invasive malignancies by population group, age, gender, anatomical site and health sector were explored. One-year cumulative incidence was calculated and logistic regression models were used to analyse incidence and melanoma thickness trends. RESULTS. A total of 4 270 biopsies (13 cutaneous malignancies) were identified. The commonest was squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), followed by basal cell carcinoma, Kaposi’s sarcoma (KS), cutaneous malignant melanoma (CMM) and basosquamous carcinoma, in descending order. The odds of a white male developing SCC increased by 8% each year (odds ratio (OR) 1.08, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.01 - 1.15; p=0.022), while the odds of a black male developing SCC and KS decreased by 9% (OR 0.91, 95% CI 0.84 - 0.99; p=0.033) and 18% (OR 0.82, 95% CI 0.70 - 0.97; p=0.022), respectively, each year. SCC and CMM were diagnosed at more advanced stages in the public than in the private healthcare sector. CMM is being detected earlier, as indicated by low-stage depth increasing by 72% annually (OR 1.72, 95% CI 1.04 - 3.01; p=0.042). CONCLUSIONS. Results suggest that reported skin cancer patterns are changing. There is a need for further research and equitable appropriation of financial resources and effort towards developing primary skin cancer prevention initiatives in SA.

Description

NCD and AM made substantial contributions to the conception and design of the study and revised the manuscript critically. KY drafted the manuscript and acquired and interpreted the data. NPK assisted with interpretation and presentation of the data and revised the manuscript critically for intellectual content. RK implemented statistical analyses and assisted with presentation and interpretation of the results. CYW and PEK advised during the course of the study, and CYW assisted with manuscript preparation for submission.
The authors acknowledge the support provided by the consulting service at the department. Maureen Krige is acknowledged for editing the manuscript.

Keywords

Skin cancer, Prevention, Human immunodeficiency virus (HIV), South Africa (SA), Excessive sun exposure, Northern Cape Province, South Africa

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Citation

York, K, Dlova, NC, Wright, CY, Khumalo, NP, Kellett, PE, Kassanjee, R & Mosam, A 2017, 'Primary cutaneous malignancies in the Northern Cape Province of South Africa : a retrospective histopathological review', South African Medical Journal, vol. 107, no. 1, pp. 83-88.