BASAL-CELL CARCINOMA ON THE SCALP OF AN INDIAN PATIENT

BACKGROUND. Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignancy i n whites, but it rarely occurs in dark persons. OBJECTIVE. TO report a BCC on the hairy scalp of an Asian Indian female with no obvious risk factors except previous scalp trauma. METHODS. We review the English literature concerning BCC in Indians, and compare this with data for N orth American blacks and whites; and reports of BCC arising in areas o f prior trauma. RESULTS/CONCLUSION. Skin cancer accounts for 1-2% of m alignancies in blacks and Indians, compared with one-third of neoplasm s in whites. BCC comprises 75% of skin cancers in whites, but squamous cell carcinoma represents 60-65% of skin cancers in blacks and Indian s. Although most BCCs occur in sun-exposed areas in whites, blacks, an d Indians, a significant percentage also develop in photoprotected are as. Trauma may be a significant risk factor for BCC, either with actin ic damage or alone, as in our case.