CUTANEOUS SQUAMOUS-CELL CARCINOMA IN TANZANIA

The Tanzania Cancer Registry at Muhimbili Medical Centre, Dar es Salaa m, Tanzania was reviewed for squamous cell carcinoma of the skin in no n-albino African subjects. The data was analysed for age, sex, site an d predisposing factors. Our results were then compared with studies pr eviously carried out in Tanzania, elsewhere in Africa and also on Blac ks, in America. Squamous cell carcinoma of the skin was found to be a common malignancy, and the commonest skin cancer. Its peak was in the 40-49 years age group though it could occur in children under five yea rs of age. The most affected site was the lower limb, followed by the head and the neck. The penis in the male and the vulva in the female w ere the third most affected sites. The scalp and the lip were more aff ected in females than males. Chronic trauma, chronic ulcers, and scars were the main predisposing risk factors to the lower limb and the sca lp, while ultra violet radiation to the head and neck, and smegma of t he uncircumcised penis were thought to be predisposing risk factors.