Cutaneous and lip squamous cell carcinomas in an albinism patient: A case report

Ann Med Surg (Lond). 2022 Sep 2:81:104556. doi: 10.1016/j.amsu.2022.104556. eCollection 2022 Sep.

Abstract

Introduction and importance: The incidence of squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) in the population aged under 30 years reaches only 1% of total cases. We report the first case from Papua, Indonesia, with a double primary SCC in a patient aged just 25 years, with albinism as a risk factor. This case report can hopefully enrich existing knowledge of such tumors.

Case presentation: A 25-year-old Papuan female patient came to the oncology clinic of Jayapura Regional General Hospital with a tumor on the left lower lip and a skin tumor on the right temporal side of the face. The patient noticed that the tumor on the lower lip appeared a few weeks earlier than that on the right temporal skin. Both tumors had grown gradually for 5 years. Both tumors were painless, but for the last 3 months, the tumor had bled easily. The patient was born with oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) without other syndromic or systemic disorders.

Clinical discussion and conclusion: In this patient, we suspected double primary SCCs considering the location of the tumor, which theoretically spreads distantly; the size of the lesion at less than 2 cm; the depth of the lesion at less than 4 mm; and the well-differentiated cytology. Another consideration was that patients with OCA have a 1000-fold risk of developing skin cancer and an increased risk of recurrence. Therefore, continual evaluation and screening are necessary.

Keywords: Albinism; Case report; Papua; Squamous cell carcinoma.

Publication types

  • Case Reports