Abstract:
Background: Primary skin cancers are among the commonest malignancies in the western
world, and their incidence is growing globally as a result of multiple factors. However, the
data regarding their pattern and their subsequent surgical management in developing
countries such as Ethiopia are sparse.
Objectives: To assess the pattern of skin cancers, options of surgical management and their
short term complications among patients admitted to Plastic Unit of Jimma University
Medical Center, Jimma, Ethiopia
Methods: An institution-based, retrospective, cross-sectional study was carried out among
patients with skin cancers. Data were collected using structured checklist. The data was
entered using EPI-Info and analyzed using SPSS version 26. Descriptive statistics was used
to describe the study participants and magnitude of short term complications was estimated
with 95% confidence interval (CI).The association between the outcome variable and
explanatory variables was analyzed using binary logistic regression. Simple logistic
regression was used to screen candidate variables at p-value less than 0.25. The magnitude of
association between explanatory variable and short term complications was estimated using
adjusted odds ratio (AOR) with 95% CI and significance was declared at p-value of 0.05.
Results: From total of 186 primary skin cancer patients SCC was most commonly prevalent
skin cancer accounting for 73 (39.2%), followed by Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) 41
(22%).BCC is rare in this study; diagnosed as 5th primary skin malignancy. Both SSC and
CM were most commonly diagnosed in the 7th decade. On the other hand Soft Tissue
Sarcoma (STS) most commonly prevalent in 4th decade 10(5.4%). lower extremity 95(51.1%)
being commonest anatomical site to be affected both by Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
51(69.9%) and Cutaneous Melanoma (CM) 24(58.5%).Commonly performed surgical
procedure was LWE with Skin Graft 58 (31.2%). The overall surgical short term
complications were 30.6%, most prevalent short-term complication being surgical site
suppuration.
Conclusion: Non exposed areas to the sun (lower extremity) is the commonest site for SCC
in dark skinned population but chronically sun exposed areas (head and neck) is the
commonest site for the westerns where most prevalent primary skin malignancy being BCC
which is relatively rare in epidemiological trends of ours. Surgical management option is
still the main stay of treatment choice for patients with primary skin malignancies. Short
term complications were more observed among male, those with comorbid illness. This
study improved comprehension of the extent and associated variables of short-term
problems in skin cancer patients who underwent surgical management and enabling for the
application of preventive strategies.
