Squamous-cell carcinoma in situ in a patient with oculocutaneous albinism.
A 36-year-old African man from Guinea with a history of albinism presented with a many-year history of scaling and erythema of the face, neck, and arms. The patient had light eyes, hair, and skin. Physical examination showed extensive photodamage. A skin biopsy specimen from the posterior aspect of the lower leg showed a squamous-cell carcinoma in situ. The most common types of oculocutaneous albinism (OCA), OCA 1 and OCA 2, are autosomal recessive disorders of pigmentation that commonly affect the skin, hair, eyes, and ears. Photodamage and skin cancers plague patients with albinism. In Africa, where albinism is prevalent, albinos face a myriad of social and medical issues. Skin cancer surveillance is an important consideration for albinos, and sun protection is paramount.
Department of Dermatology, New York University, New York, New York, USA.
Emily
E
Berger
Raegan
R
Hunt
Julia
J
Tzu
Rishi
R
Patel
Miguel
M
Sanchez
D000328:Adult; D016115:Albinism, Oculocutaneous / Q000150:complications* / Q000208:ethnology / Q000235:genetics / Q000523:psychology; D002278:Carcinoma in Situ / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D004198:Disease Susceptibility; D016701:Guinea / Q000208:ethnology; D006801:Humans; D007866:Leg; D008297:Male; D009381:Neoplasms, Radiation-Induced / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D011287:Prejudice; D015995:Prevalence; D011836:Radiation Tolerance / Q000235:genetics; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000473:pathology; D013471:Sunburn; D013472:Sunlight / Q000009:adverse effects*; D013473:Sunscreening Agents
D013473:Sunscreening Agents