[First cases of squamous cell carcinoma associated with cosmetic use of bleaching compounds].
BACKGROUND
We report two cases of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in two black women (phenotype VI) using bleaching compounds for cosmetic purposes over a period of 15 years.


METHODS
Two women (aged 45 and 47 years) with a long history of cosmetic use of bleaching compounds consulted at a dermatology unit for skin tumours. A diagnosis of SCC was confirmed by histological examination of tumour biopsies. One patient was HIV-positive. Surgical treatment was performed in both cases: simple postoperative complications were seen in one patient but the other died at home following recurrence of carcinoma in the year following diagnosis.


CONCLUSIONS
To our knowledge, theses two cases represent the first description of SCC occurring after prolonged cosmetic use of bleaching compounds. Carcinoma occurred in both cases in skin exposed to sun. In our patients, the mechanism of carcinogenesis may have involved melanin destruction, solar exposure and corticosteroid-induced immunosuppression. A direct carcinogenic effect of hydroquinone or other unidentified compounds is another possibility; the carcinogenicity of hydroquinone is well established in rodents. While these observations do not provide formal proof of any implication of depigmentation products in SCC, they emphasize the need for monitoring of dark-skinned women using skin lighteners.
Ly
F
F
Service de dermatologie, institut d'hygiène sociale de Dakar, BP 5825, Dakar Fann, Sénégal. lyfaty@yahoo.fr
Kane
A
A
Déme
A
A
Ngom
N-F
NF
Niang
S-O
SO
Bello
R
R
Rethers
L
L
Dangou
J-M
JM
Dieng
M-T-D
MT
Diousse
P
P
Ndiaye
B
B
D000287:Administration, Topical; D044383:Black People; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D003357:Cosmetic Techniques / Q000009:adverse effects*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D012675:Senegal; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D012880:Skin Pigmentation / Q000187:drug effects; D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*
D012973:Sodium Hypochlorite