Clinicopathological spectrum of cutaneous carcinoma: A single-center retrospective analysis.

Abstract

e23260 Background: Skin carcinomas, including basal cell carcinoma (BCC) and squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), rank among the most prevalent malignancies globally, imposing significant health and economic burdens. Despite over 5 million annual cases of non-melanoma skin cancer, disparities in early diagnosis and treatment persist, particularly in diverse populations. This retrospective study aimed to delineate the clinicopathological spectrum, incidence, and risk factors of cutaneous carcinomas among patients at Services Hospital, Lahore, Pakistan, between 2022 and 2024. Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of 100 histologically confirmed cases of skin carcinomas, comprising BCC and SCC. Data were obtained from the Dermatology Department, and histopathological slides were meticulously reviewed at the Pathology Department of the Services Institute of Medical Sciences. Tumors were classified using World Health Organization (WHO) guidelines. Patient demographics, clinical features, and histopathological characteristics were analyzed alongside hematoxylin and eosin-stained samples. Cases failing to meet inclusion criteria were excluded. Results: The study cohort included an equal distribution of genders (male-to-female ratio: 1:1.3), with a mean age at diagnosis of 56.42 years. BCC emerged as the predominant malignancy (76%), with SCC accounting for 24%. The nose (13%) and cheek (11%) were the most frequently affected sites. Nodular BCC was the leading histological subtype (37%), followed by basosquamous carcinoma (15%). Ultraviolet (UV) exposure was the most significant risk factor, while arsenic exposure was documented in 3% of cases. Tumor grading revealed that 58% of carcinomas were Grade 1, indicating a predominance of low-grade malignancies. Conclusions: This study provides a comprehensive assessment of the clinicopathological landscape of skin carcinomas in a diverse South Asian population, challenging the stereotype that skin cancer predominantly affects individuals with fair skin. The findings highlight the nodular subtype's predominance in BCC and acantholytic characteristics in SCC, with UV exposure as the primary risk factor. Additionally, the identification of arsenic exposure and HPV as notable regional risk factors underscores the importance of tailored prevention strategies. These insights pave the way for improved diagnostic accuracy, early intervention, and future research in skin carcinoma management. Keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; Squamous cell carcinoma; Skin cancer; Clinicopathological spectrum; Risk factors; Epidemiology.