Publication:

Patterns of skin cancers at Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, North Central Nigeria: a 10-year retrospective study

Background Skin cancers are increasingly recognized as a public health concern in Nigeria. Their patterns of occurrence often differ from global trends. Understanding these variations is essential for prevention, early diagnosis, and planning. This study assessed the clinicopathologic patterns of skin cancers at the Federal Medical Centre, Makurdi, Benue State, over a ten-year period.

Methods A retrospective review was conducted on 96 patients diagnosed with skin cancers from 2014 to 2023. Demographic characteristics, tumor type, anatomical site, and year of diagnosis were obtained from medical records. Data were analyzed using statistical package for the social sciences (SPSS) version 23 and presented as proportions. A year-trend graph illustrated temporal patterns, while chi-square analysis tested associations, with significance set at p<0.05.

Results The mean age at diagnosis was 45.34±20.17 years, with females accounting for 64.6% of cases. Squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) (33.3%) and malignant melanoma (MM) (28.1%) were the predominant histologic types, while basal cell carcinoma (BCC) was uncommon (4.2%). Among children aged 4-14 years, rhabdomyosarcoma (Rms) constituted 37.5% of tumors, and Kaposi sarcoma (Ks) represented 5.2%. A steady rise in incidence was observed, peaking in 2020. Chi-square analysis showed no significant association between gender and cancer type (p=0.334) or age and cancer type (p=0.098).

Conclusions Skin cancers occurred more frequently in younger individuals and women. The high melanoma burden, SCC, and late presentation highlight the need for stronger public awareness, integration of skin cancer screening into primary care and HIV services, and improved cancer registry systems to enhance early detection and outcomes.