Journal des méthodes de diagnostic médical
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Adenocystic Carcinoma as a Molecular Variant of Albino Skin Cancer

Onuigbo WIB

Background: Albinism is an established risk factor for skin cancer in Black Africans, especially squamous carcinoma. Main observations: I present 17 albinos with histologic diagnosis of adenocystic carcinoma who were seen at the National Orthopaedic Hospital, Enugu, Nigeria, from 1979 to 2008. Two hundred and eight patients constituted the entire series. Out of them, the 17 adenocystic carcinomas were selected for special study. This showed an age range of 25 years to 63 years (mean, 41 years). Eleven were males and six females, i.e., M/F ratio of 2:1 approximately. The lesions measured from 3 cm to 11 cm, the average being roughly 5 cm. Of the sites affected, the head preponderated in two-thirds of the cases. Conclusion: Albinism of the adenocystic carcinoma type should be recognized alongside the more frequent squamous carcinomas. However, no albino should suffer skin cancer let alone one reaching up to 5 cm across. This is possible with implementation of preventive public education strategies, including maternal care, empowerment of women, and indoor employment of albinos, this being a statutory action of Government.