title: Malignant skin lesions in Oshogbo, Nigeria.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The aim of this study is to retrospectively assess the prevalence of some of skin malignancies in our environment and to provide a data base for creating awareness for prevention and early detection of the diseases in order to reduce morbidity and mortality associated with these skin lesions in our environment.
  
  
  METHODS
  This is a retrospective study of all histologically diagnosed malignant skin lesions which presented at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology Teaching Hospital Osogbo Osun State between January 2006 and December 2010.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Ninety- eight patients presented with skin cancers out of which 60 (61.2%)were males and 38 (38.8%) were females. Malignant melanoma ranked highest followed by squamous cell carcinoma, dermatofibrosarcoma and basal cell carcinoma in that order. Malignant melanoma affects male more than female and it commonly affects lower limbs.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Skin malignancies pose a burden to the economy of the country. Efforts should be directed toward prevention, early diagnosis and management in order to abolish or reduce morbidity, as well as mortality associated with late presentation of people in the developing countries.
authors.affiliation: Burns and Plastic surgery unit, Department of Surgery, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Ganiyu Oyediran
authors.initials: GO
authors.lastname: Oseni
authors.affiliation: Burns and Plastic surgery unit, Department of Surgery, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Peter Babatunde
authors.initials: PB
authors.lastname: Olaitan
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Ladoke Akintola Univeersity of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Akinwumi Oluwole
authors.initials: AO
authors.lastname: Komolafe
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Ladoke Akintola Univeersity of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Olaejirinde Olaniyi
authors.initials: OO
authors.lastname: Olaofe
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Ladoke Akintola Univeersity of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Hezekiah Adebola Morakinyo
authors.initials: HA
authors.lastname: Akinyemi
authors.affiliation: Department of Histopathology, Ladoke Akintola Univeersity of Technology Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Osun State, Nigeria.
authors.forename: Oreoluwa Adeola
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Suleiman
mesh_terms: D002280:Basal Cell Carcinoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D018223:Dermatofibrosarcoma / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology; D005260:Female; D006784:Hospitals, Teaching; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008545:Melanoma / Q000473:pathology*; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D015995:Prevalence; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012737:Sex Factors; D012878:Skin Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*
keywords: Basal cell carcinoma; Skin malignancies; cancers; carcinogens; dermatofibrosarcoma; malignant melanoma; squamous cell carcinoma