Review of nonmelanoma skin cancer in African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians

Shauna Higgins, Azadeh Nazemi, Maggie Chow, Ashley Wysong

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

58 Scopus citations

Abstract

BACKGROUND Skin cancer has traditionally been studied in Caucasian skin. Although it does occur with increased relative frequency in Caucasians, patients with skin of color suffer from elevated morbidity and mortality when diagnosed with skin cancer. OBJECTIVE To detail the unique demographic and clinical features of nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) in patients with skin of color, including Hispanic, African American, and Asian patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS A complete PubMed search was conducted spanning dates from 1947 to June 2017 yielding a total of 185 manuscripts, from which 45 were included in this review. RESULTS Relative to Caucasians, NMSC, comprised squamous cell carcinoma and basal cell carcinoma, has unique demographic and clinical features in African Americans, Hispanics, and Asians. CONCLUSION Familiarization with these unique presentations of skin cancer in skin of color is imperative to accurate identification and treatment of cutaneous malignancies in these populations and ultimately to improved disease-related outcomes.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)903-910
Number of pages8
JournalDermatologic Surgery
Volume44
Issue number7
DOIs
StatePublished - Jul 1 2018
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Surgery
  • Dermatology

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