Clinico-pathological patterns of squamous cell carcinoma in Nigeria

Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) is the second most common form of skin cancer and frequently arises in the sun-exposed skin of middle-aged and elderly individuals. We retrospectively reviewed 443 patients managed for SCC (cutaneous and non-cutaneous) in our hospital from January 1979 to December 2002. The age distribution showed peak incidence between fourth and sixth decades of life. The duration of symptoms ranged from 6 months to 552 months (standard deviation [SD] = 54.29), while the head and neck region was the most common site of cutaneous SCC. SCC is not rare in our environment. Patients with skin lesions are advised to present early to their physician for early diagnosis and appropriate treatment.