Back ground:
Non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) constitutes a major public health problem as it is the most common cancer world-wide.
Objective:
Studying the prevalence, risk factors and clinico-pathological characteristics of NMSC over a year period (2002-2003) in Benha district, Qalyubiyah Governorate, Egypt.
Methods:
Full clinical and histopathological examinations were done to the at tendance of the outpatient clinic of Benha University Hospital and the prevalence rate of NMSC cases were recorded.
Results:
A total of 18 males & 19 females presented with NMSC . 59.5% of patients had basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and 40.5% had squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). The mean age in years for BCC was (55.2+15.2) and for SCC was (57.9+15.6). The mean duration in years for BCC was (5.7+4.6) and for SCC (1.5+2.0). 89.2% of patients with NMSC had dark complexion and 67.5% were chronically exposed to ultraviolet rays (UVR). Head and neck were the site of predilection (83.8%) for both groups. Nodulo-ulcerative pattern (68.3%) formed the majority of BCC. SCC had variable presentation of ulcerating nodule, deep malignant ulcer and a superficial plaque.
Conclusion:
Intense sunlight exposure puts outdoor farmers and workers at the risk of developing NMSC along with other factors. No sex predilection was noted as females share field work more or less equally with males. Patients with relatively pigmented skin are still at risk of developing NMSC.