Basal cell carcinoma on the scalp of an Indian patient

• Published in: Dermatologic surgery Vol. 21; no. 3; p. 247
• Main Authors: Dhir, A, Orengo, I, Bruce, S, Kolbusz, R V, Alford, E, Goldberg, L
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States 01.03.1995
• Subjects: African Continental Ancestry Group; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - ethnology; Carcinoma, Basal Cell - pathology; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell - ethnology; European Continental Ancestry Group; Female; Humans; India - ethnology; Middle Aged; Scalp; Skin Neoplasms - ethnology; Skin Neoplasms - pathology; Skin Pigmentation; United States; United States; India
• ISSN: 1076-0512; 1524-4725
• DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4725.1995.tb00165.x

Basal cell carcinoma (BCC) is the most common malignancy in whites, but it rarely occurs in dark persons. To report a BCC on the hairy scalp of an Asian Indian female with no obvious risk factors except previous scalp trauma. We review the English literature concerning BCC in Indians, and compare this with data for North American blacks and whites; and reports of BCC arising in areas of prior trauma. Skin cancer accounts for 1-2% of malignancies in blacks and Indians, compared with one-third of neoplasms in whites. BCC comprises 75% of skin cancers in whites, but squamous cell carcinoma represents 60-65% of skin cancers in blacks and Indians. Although most BCCs occur in sun-exposed areas in whites, blacks, and Indians, a significant percentage also develop in photoprotected areas. Trauma may be a significant risk factor for BCC, either with actinic damage or alone, as in our case.