RESUMO
Over the last few decades, dermoscopy has been showed to facilitate the non-invasive diagnosis of both benign and malignant skin tumors, yet literature data mainly comes from studies on light photo-types. However, there is growing evidence that skin neoplasms may benefit from dermoscopic assessment even for skin of color. This systematic literature review evaluated published data in dark-skinned patients (dermoscopic features, used setting, pathological correlation, and level of evidence of studies), also providing a standardized and homogeneous terminology for reported dermoscopic findings. A total of 20 articles describing 46 different tumors (four melanocytic neoplasms, eight keratinocytic tumors, 15 adnexal cutaneous neoplasms, seven vascular tumors, four connective tissue tumors, and eight cystic neoplasms/others) for a total of 1724 instances were included in the analysis. Most of them showed a level of evidence of V (12 single case reports and six case series), with only two studies featuring a level of evidence of IV (case-control analysis). Additionally, this review also underlined that some neoplasms and phototypes are underrepresented in published analyses as they included only small samples and mainly certain tones of "dark skin" spectrum (especially phototype IV). Therefore, further studies considering such limitations are required for a better characterization.
RESUMO
Cutaneous metastases are an uncommon feature of solid organ malignancies. The cost of multiple investigations and prolonged processing time of biopsies may lead to diagnostic delays especially in resource limited practice settings. Dermoscopy can provide useful clues and has been found to be useful in the diagnosis of cutaneous metastases. Dermoscopic findings of skin lesions may limit unnecessary investigations and shorten time to diagnosis. There are limited data on dermoscopic features of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma in the literature. We report dermoscopic features of cutaneous metastasis of embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma seen in a black African child.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: A high proportion of skin cancers in Nigeria occur in Individuals with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA). A reduction or absence of melanin, a skin pigment with photoprotective properties, makes them susceptible to skin malignancies such as squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs), basal cell carcinomas (BCCs) and rarely melanomas. Globally, BCCs are the commonest cutaneous malignancies among Caucasians and in fair-skinned Africans. This has been attributed to the greater effect of melanin in protecting against UV damage in the basal layer of the epidermis. Older retrospective studies on African albinos suggested that SCCs accounted for a higher prevalence of skin cancers in albinos, followed by BCCs. Melanoma has been consistently documented to be rare in all of these reports. Recent reports however noted BCCs to occur at an increasing frequency, suggesting a higher frequency than previously documented. These conflicting reports reflect the need to re-explore the pattern of cutaneous malignancies in albinos in order to reconcile the role of pigmentation, UV exposure and the variance between the frequencies of the different keratinocyte skin cancers among extreme skin phenotypes. This study explores the pattern of cutaneous malignancies seen in albinos in South East Nigeria. OBJECTIVE: To determine the pattern of cutaneous malignancies among albinos in Anambra state, Nigeria. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional study conducted in Anambra State, Nigeria. Ninety albinos from the Albino foundation Anambra state were recruited. Malignant dermatoses were characterized clinically and confirmed by histology. Fifty-eight lesions from 30 albinos were biopsied to determine the presence of malignancy. RESULTS: Skin cancers were seen in 20.98% of all participants and in 18 (60%) of all the albinos who had skin biopsy. The SCC/BCC ratio was 1.0: 2.3. There was no cutaneous melanoma. CONCLUSION: Contrary to previous reports, it would appear that the pattern of cutaneous malignancies in albinos shows the same trend as that seen in Caucasians and fair-skinned Africans.
RESUMO
BACKGROUND: Linea nigra (LN) is linear hyperpigmentation occurring from the umbilicus to the pubic symphysis. Although commonly associated with pregnancy (when it is known as linea gravidarum), it has been found in normal male and female individuals, particularly in the younger age group where estrogen or lack of sensitivity of androgen receptors has been suggested as a possible factor. From a previous study the incidence of LN varied in different genders, age groups, and certain clinical status such as pregnancy and, in men, benign prostate hyperplasia (BPH)/prostate carcinoma (PC). OBJECTIVE: The need to get a clinical feature that can aid diagnosis of PC, the commonest male neoplasm in Nigeria, at an affordable cost prompted us to look at the incidence of LN in three male populations (i.e., one with BPH, one with PC, and a control population unaffected by these two conditions). Gynecomastia and female hair distribution, two features considered hormone related were looked for additionally in the study population. The study was carried out in a teaching hospital in Ibadan, southwestern Nigeria. RESULTS: LN was found in 48% of PC, 26% of BPH, and 8% of controls. Female pubic hair was found in 48% of PC, 26% of BPH, and 12% of controls. Gynecomastia was found in 36% of PC, 12% of BPH, and 0% of controls. Differences between patients with BPH, PC, and controls regarding incidence of LN and female pubic hair were deemed explicable by chance (P = 0.17, Fisher exact test). Differences between PC and BPH patients with respect to gynecomastia were deemed inexplicable by chance (P = 0.008, Fisher exact test). CONCLUSION: LN alone cannot be used to differentiate PC and BPH. Further studies will be needed to characterize the role of LN in these conditions in men before and after treatment.
