Histopathologic patterns of skin cancer and associated factors in Jimma University Medical Center, Jimma, South West Ethiopia: Retrospective study

Abstract

Abstract Background Skin cancer is a major global public health problem and the incidence has been increasing at an alarming rate worldwide. However, the data about the pattern in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. This study aims to determine histopathologic patterns of skin cancer and associated factors in patients with skin cancer. Method and materials A retrospective cross-sectional study was done with a review of 207 biopsies that were histologically diagnosed as skin cancer at the Jimma University Medical Center (JUMC) between August 2018 and August 2022. Data was analyzed by SPSS version 26 and descriptive and analytic studies were done. For all statistical significance tests, p < 0.05 and AOR with 95% CI were used. Logistic regression with multivariate analysis was done to identify independent predictor factors and determine the association between variables. Results The majority of skin cancer occurred in the 7th decade 49 (23.7%)) with a mean age of 50 ± 16.1 with slight female predominance 109 (52.7%). The commonest site for skin cancer was lower extremity 113 (54.6%) and ulceration 162 (78.3%) was the most common presenting symptom. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) 98 (47.3%) was the commonest skin cancer followed by cutaneous melanoma (CM) 50 (24.2%). Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) 13 (6.3%) was 5th skin cancer. Using the lower extremity as a reference group, head and neck skin cancer cases had an AOR of 6.03 being involved by Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) (CI: 2.23–16.31, P = 0.000) and trunk skin cancer cases had AOR of 9.204 (CI: 1.16- 73, p = 0.036) being involved by NMSC. Conclusion NMSC was 3 times more common than MSC. The most common type of skin cancer is SCC followed by CM but BCC is a rare skin cancer. In contrast to Western and Asian countries, the lower extremity was the most common site for skin cancer which indicates differences in predisposing factors in different areas. Overall, the Lower extremity was the most common site of involvement. There is a statistically significant association between anatomic site and incidence of NMSC which warrants further study.