Comparative study of superficial cancer in Tanzania

Examination of the Tanzania Cancer Registry from 1978 to 1988 showed squamous cell carcinomas to be the most frequent form of superficial malignancy; followed by Kaposi's sarcoma and then malignant melanoma. Males were more afflicted than females; and the lower limbs were predominant sites of the lesion. In terms of relative importance of various types of superficial cancers; the pattern seen in Tanzania was similar to that in another East African country. In a West African country; Kaposi's sarcoma was not common. On the other hand; among blacks in the USA; basal cell carcinomas were almost similar in frequency to squamous cell carcinomas