histopathological pattern of skin cancers in Iraq

ABSTRACT

Skin cancers comprise a variety of malignancies, with varying incidence of the histopathological types worldwide. Little is known about skin cancers in Iraq. Population-based figures on skin cancers are essential for a realistic assessment of the disease burden, prevention modes and the need for caring. The aim of this paper is to present the first and the largest study of the histopathological types of skin cancers in Iraq. In the largest series of 63923 Iraqi patients with various types of newly diagnosed cancers registered by the Iraqi Ministry of Health from all Iraqi provinces with the exception of 3 Northern provinces [Sulaimanyia, Erbil, and Dohouk] during five-year period [2000-2004] 2585 cases of skin cancers occurred in all age groups accounting for approximately 4% of all cancer cases in Iraq. The top skin cancers in Iraq were Basal cell carcinoma [BCC], Squamous cell carcinoma [SCC], melanoma, Dermatofibrosarcoma, Basosquamous carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma. BCC is the commonest skin cancer in Iraq. There were 1111 cases of BCC accounting for 43% of all skin cancers. SCC is second most common skin cancer in Iraq. There were 904 cases of SCC accounting for 35% of all skin cancers. Melanoma is third most common skin cancer in Iraq. There were 160 cases of melanoma accounting for only 6% of all skin cancers. The top skin cancers in Iraq were BCC, SCC, melanoma, Dermatofibrosarcoma, Basosquamous carcinoma, Kaposi sarcoma