Cutaneous Malignant Tumors: Clinico-Pathological Study in Bahrain

Abstract

Introduction: Cutaneous malignancies are in the rise worldwide. They include basal cell carcinomas (BCC) and squamous cell carcinomas (SCC) and Malignant Melanoma (MM). Advance age and exposure to ultraviolet (UV) rays are among the most important risk factors associated with skin malignancies, although various other factors are also implicated.

Aims and Objectives: The aims of this study are to study clinical spectrum with age and sex distribution of cutaneous malignancies in Bahrain; to study clinicopathological variants of each type of these malignancies, describe their pathological stage and predict the prognosis.

Patients and Methods: It is a retrospective analysis of biopsy proven cases of cutaneous malignancies at Salmaniya Medical Complex in the period between January 1, 2016 to January 31, 2021. Medical records of patients were retrieved from ISEHA system. Statistical analysis was done using Microsoft Excel 2019. Results: 61 cases with cutaneous malignancies were recruited. There was Bahraini nationality (89%) and male preponderance (69%). The most common age group affected was 60–70 years with the mean age of 62.26 year. BCC was the most common malignancy diagnosed (71%) followed by malignant melanoma (16%) and squamous cell carcinoma (13%). Face was the most common site involved (36%). The majority of tumors had a T1 pathological TNM staging (49%). T4 stage tumors were the malignant melanoma cases (12%). The most common presenting symptom was a pigmented lesion (49%), followed by a longstanding ulcer (36%).

Conclusion: Malignant skin neoplasms in Bahrain have male preponderance. The most common clinical presentation of these tumors is a pigmented lesion. Basal cell carcinoma is the most common type. Face and nose are the most common sites involved. Majority of skin cancers in the study are of low pathological stage except malignant melanoma patients who presented with an advance stage.