Clinical Spectrum of Cutaneous Malignancies in Central India: A Retrospective Study

Cutaneous malignancies account for 1%-2% of all the diagnosed cancers in India. Nonmelanoma skin cancers (NMSCs) include basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). Others include melanoma, cutaneous lymphomas, and sarcomas. Exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays is the most important risk factor associated with skin malignancies, although various other factors are also implicated.

The aims of this work were to study clinical spectrum with age and sex distribution of cutaneous malignancies and metastasis; to study clinicopathological variants of each type of cutaneous malignancies; and to study the risk factors associated with cutaneous malignancies.

It was a retrospective analysis of clinically and biopsy proven cases of cutaneous malignancies from January 1, 2016 to January 31, 2018. Medical records of patients were assessed with respect to demographic information, clinical examination, dermoscopy, and histopathology. Statistical analysis was done using mean, proportion, and percentage.

Sixty-six cases with cutaneous malignancies were recruited. There was female preponderance. The most common age group affected was 60-70 years. BCC was the most common malignancy (41%) followed by SCC (30%), malignant melanoma (9%), and cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (1.5%). Head and neck was the most common site involved. The most common clinical type of both BCC and SCC was the nodular type. Acral lentiginous was the most frequent subtype of melanoma reported. The most common predisposing for NMSCs was prolonged sun exposure (46%).

This study highlights an increasing trend of NMSCs with female preponderance. Head and neck is the most common site involved. Increased risk of NMSCs is seen with increased sun exposure and predisposed genetic conditions. T-cell lymphoma was common than B-cell type. The most common internal malignancy to cause cutaneous metastasis was breast carcinoma.