title: Squamous Cell Carcinoma in African Children with Xeroderma Pigmentosum: Three Case Reports.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Xeroderma pigmentosum is a rare autosomal recessive genetic disease. This disease predisposes patients to early-onset skin cancers, particularly squamous cell carcinoma. Here, we report 3 pediatric cases, including 2 deaths.
  
  
  METHODS
  The subjects included 2 boys and 1 girl with skin type VI. All subjects were from consanguineous marriages, and the average age was 7.6 years. The patients all had ulcerative budding tumor lesions in the cephalic region, and the mean disease duration was 18 months. In all 3 cases, the diagnosis of xeroderma pigmentosum was made before the poikilodermal appearance of sun-exposed areas and photophobia. Neurological-type mental retardation was noted in 1 case. Histology confirmed squamous cell carcinoma in all 3 cases. The evolutions were marked by the death of 2 children (cases 1 and 3). In one case, the outcome was favorable following cancer excision and subsequent chemotherapy with adjuvant radiotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Squamous cell carcinoma is a serious complication related to xeroderma pigmentosum in Sub-Saharan Africa. Prevention is based on the early diagnosis of xeroderma pigmentosum, black skin photoprotection, screening and early treatment of lesions, and genetic counseling.
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, University of Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: Mamadou
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Kaloga
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thies, Thies, Senegal.
authors.forename: Pauline
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Dioussé
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, Hospital Aristide Le Dantec, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Boubacar Ahy
authors.initials: BA
authors.lastname: Diatta
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, Regional Hospital Thies, Thies, Senegal.
authors.forename: Mariama
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bammo
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, University of Cocody, Abidjan, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: Sarah
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kourouma
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, University Alassane Ouattara, Bouake, Côte d'Ivoire.
authors.forename: Almamy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Diabate
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, Regional Hospital Thies, Thies, Senegal.
authors.forename: Ndiaga
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Gueye
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thies, Thies, Senegal.
authors.forename: Haby
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Dione
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, Hospital Aristide Le Dantec, Cheikh Anta Diop University, Dakar, Senegal.
authors.forename: Moussa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Diallo
authors.affiliation: Dermatology, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Thies, Thies, Senegal.
authors.forename: Bernard Marcel
authors.initials: BM
authors.lastname: Diop
keywords: Children; Squamous cell carcinoma; Xeroderma pigmentosum