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Basal cell carcinoma in S ingapore: A prospective study on epidemiology and clinicopathological characteristics with a secondary comparative analysis between S ingaporean C hinese and C aucasian patients
Author(s) -
Tan Eugene ST,
Ee Melvin,
Shen Liang,
Chua Hilary,
Chan YiongHuak,
Tan SuatHoon
Publication year - 2015
Publication title -
australasian journal of dermatology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.67
H-Index - 53
eISSN - 1440-0960
pISSN - 0004-8380
DOI - 10.1111/ajd.12202
Subject(s) - basal cell carcinoma , medicine , epidemiology , head and neck , prospective cohort study , population , carcinoma , trunk , gastroenterology , pathology , basal cell , surgery , biology , ecology , environmental health
Background/Objectives Susceptibility to and clinical presentation of basal cell carcinoma ( BCC ) differ in A sian and C aucasian populations. This study aims to evaluate the epidemiological and clinicopathological characteristics of BCC in a multiracial S ingaporean population, with a secondary comparative analysis between C hinese and C aucasian patients. Methods We prospectively studied patients with newly diagnosed, histologically confirmed BCC at the N ational S kin C entre, S ingapore 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. C hinese comprised 80% and C aucasians 14%. The C hinese were 1.8‐fold as likely as C aucasians 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 C hinese. In terms of tumour subtype, morphoeic BCC was 2.7‐fold more common in C aucasians. Pigmented BCC occurred 2.7‐fold more often in the Chinese, most frequently on the head and neck of elderly C hinese. Conclusions Compared to the C hinese, BCC occurred more often in younger C aucasians, 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 C hinese and may be reflective of cumulative sun exposure as a risk factor. Aggressive morphoeic BCC was more common in C aucasians than in S ingaporean C hinese patients.