Evidence map›Paper›PMID 22681652›Full record

ArticleBMC dermatology2012

Skin cancers among Albinos at a University teaching hospital in Northwestern Tanzania: a retrospective review of 64 cases.

Joseph B Mabula, Phillipo L Chalya, Mabula D Mchembe, Hyasinta Jaka, Geofrey Giiti, Peter Rambau, Nestory Masalu, Erasmus Kamugisha, Ssentongo Robert, Japhet M Gilyoma

Open access · diamondAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC dermatology, 2012. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 34 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
34citing papers in PubMed
2.4field-weighted citation impact, top 12% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

34 citing papers in PubMed, 90 citations in OpenAlex.

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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

10 authors at 3 institutions in 2 countries.

Joseph B MabulaDepartment of Surgery, Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences-Bugando, Mwanza, Tanzania.
Phillipo L Chalya
Mabula D Mchembe
Hyasinta Jaka
Geofrey Giiti
Peter Rambau
Nestory Masalu
Erasmus Kamugisha
Ssentongo Robert
Japhet M Gilyoma
Catholic University of Health and Allied Sciences · TZMuhimbili University of Health and Allied Sciences · TZMulago Hospital · UG

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundSkin cancers are a major risk associated with albinism and are thought to be a major cause of death in African albinos. The challenges associated with the care of these patients are numerous and need to be addressed. The aim of this study was to outline the pattern and treatment outcome of skin cancers among albinos treated at our centre and to highlight challenges associated with the care of these patients and proffer solutions for improved outcome.

methodsThis was a retrospective study of all albinos with a histopathological diagnosis of skin cancer seen at Bugando Medical Centre from March 2001 to February 2010. Data collected were analyzed using descriptive statistics.

resultsA total of 64 patients were studied. The male to female ratio was 1.5:1. The median age of patients was 30 years. The median duration of illness at presentation was 24 months. The commonest reason for late presentation was financial problem. Head and the neck was the most frequent site afflicted in 46(71.8%) patients. Squamous cell carcinoma was the most common histopathological type in 75% of cases. Surgical operation was the commonest modality of treatment in 60 (93.8%) patients. Radiotherapy was given in 24(37.5%) patients. Twenty-seven (42.2%) of the patients did not complete their treatment due to lack of funds. Local recurrence following surgical treatment was recorded in 6 (30.0%) patients. Only thirty-seven (61.7%) patients were available for follow-up at 6-12 months and the remaining patients were lost to follow-up.

conclusionsSkin cancers are the most common cancers among albinos in our environment. Albinism and exposure to ultraviolet light appears to be the most important risk factor in the development of these cancers. Late presentation and failure to complete treatment due to financial difficulties and lack of radiotherapy services at our centre are major challenges in the care of these patients. Early institution of preventive measures, early presentation and treatment, and follow-up should be encouraged in this population for better outcome.

Indexed as

AdultBasal Cell CarcinomaCarcinoma, Squamous CellFemaleHospitals, TeachingHospitals, UniversityHumansMaleMelanomaRetrospective StudiesRisk FactorsSkin NeoplasmsSkin PigmentationSunlightTanzaniaUltraviolet Rays

Identifiers

PMID22681652
PMCPMC3483204
OpenAlexW2152217793

What OpenQuestion holds

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LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.