[Epidemiological and anatomoclinical features of scalp tumors in black Africans]

In Senegal, the studies on scalp tumors are almost non-existent. The purpose of our study was to determine the epidemiological and anatomoclinical features of scalp tumors in dermatology.

We conducted a prospective descriptive and analytical study in both Department of Dermatology at Dakar over a period of 16 months (01 March 2014-30 June 2015). Histopathological examination was used to confirm the diagnosis.

We collected data from the medical records of 36 patients, of whom 14 had malignant tumors and 22 benign tumors. Sex ratio was 1.1, the average age of patients with malignant tumors was 51 years while the average age of patients with benign tumors was 39 years. Hospitalization rate was 0.18%. The average time of consultation in patients with malignant tumors was 14 months, while in patients with benign tumors was 52 months. In 11 patients with malignant tumors, first treatment was based on traditional therapy. Malignant tumors included: squamous cell carcinoma (n=8), basal-cell carcinoma (n=3), lymphoma, hidradenocarcinoma and Darier-Ferrand dermatofibrosarcoma (one case for each type). Benign tumors included: botriomycoma (n=5), trichilemmal cyst, sebaceous hamartoma, cylindroma and lipoma (2 cases for each type), heloid, syringocystadenoma papilliferum, schwannoma, neurofibroma and nevus (one case for each type). Tumor malignancy was associated to ulcero-budding appearance (p=0.003), diameter >4 cm (p=0.05), pain (p=0.009) and bleeding (p= 0.006).

Scalp tumors in black people are usually benign. Squamous cell carcinoma is the most common malignant form.