Eugene St Tan1, Melvin Ee2, Liang Shen3, Hilary Chua4, Yiong-Huak Chan3, Suat-Hoon Tan1. 1. National Skin Centre, Singapore. 2. Dermatology & Surgery Clinic, National University Health System, Singapore. 3. Biostatistics Unit, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University Health System, Singapore. 4. Singapore Institute for Clinical Sciences, Agency for Science, Technology and Research, Singapore.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: Susceptibility to and clinical presentation of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) differ in Asian and Caucasian populations. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics of BCC in a multiracial Singaporean population, with a secondary comparative analysis between Chinese and Caucasian patients. METHODS: We prospectively studied patients with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed BCC at the National Skin Centre, Singapore from 2004 to 2008. RESULTS: In total, 274 BCC from 260 patients were studied, with 19 patients having two or more tumours. Their mean age was 67.5 years and 54% were male. Chinese comprised 80% and Caucasians 14%. The Chinese were 1.8-fold as likely as Caucasians to be older than 60 years, and experienced itch thrice more frequently. Caucasians developed multiple BCC threefold and truncal or upper limb BCC 2.9-fold more frequently than the Chinese. In terms of tumour subtype, morphoeic BCC was 2.7-fold more common in Caucasians. Pigmented BCC occurred 2.7-fold more often in the Chinese, most frequently on the head and neck of elderly Chinese. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the Chinese, BCC occurred more often in younger Caucasians, with a predilection for the trunk and upper limb, suggesting a greater role for recreational sun exposure as a risk factor. Pigmented BCC more commonly occurred on the head and neck of elderly Chinese and may be reflective of cumulative sun exposure as a risk factor. Aggressive morphoeic BCC was more common in Caucasians than in Singaporean Chinese patients.
BACKGROUND/ OBJECTIVES: Susceptibility to and clinical presentation of basal cell carcinoma (BCC) differ in Asian and Caucasian populations. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics of BCC in a multiracial Singaporean population, with a secondary comparative analysis between Chinese and Caucasian patients. METHODS: We prospectively studied patients with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed BCC at the National Skin Centre, Singapore from 2004 to 2008. RESULTS: In total, 274 BCC from 260 patients were studied, with 19 patients having two or more tumours. Their mean age was 67.5 years and 54% were male. Chinese comprised 80% and Caucasians 14%. The Chinese were 1.8-fold as likely as Caucasians to be older than 60 years, and experienced itch thrice more frequently. Caucasians developed multiple BCC threefold and truncal or upper limb BCC 2.9-fold more frequently than the Chinese. In terms of tumour subtype, morphoeic BCC was 2.7-fold more common in Caucasians. Pigmented BCC occurred 2.7-fold more often in the Chinese, most frequently on the head and neck of elderly Chinese. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to the Chinese, BCC occurred more often in younger Caucasians, with a predilection for the trunk and upper limb, suggesting a greater role for recreational sun exposure as a risk factor. Pigmented BCC more commonly occurred on the head and neck of elderly Chinese and may be reflective of cumulative sun exposure as a risk factor. Aggressive morphoeic BCC was more common in Caucasians than in Singaporean Chinese patients.
Authors: Mohamed El-Khalawany; Hussein M M Hassab-El-Naby; Ahmed Mustafa Mousa; Ahmed Sameh; Mahmoud A Rageh; Rasha Mahmoud Genedy; Aya Magdy Hosny; Marwa A Aboelmagd; Soha Aboeldahab Journal: J Cancer Res Clin Oncol Date: 2022-07-23 Impact factor: 4.322