The prevalence of epidermal skin malignancies in people living with oculocutaneous albinism attending the Universitas Academic Hospital, Bloemfontein, South Africa

Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA) is a group of heterogeneous genetic disorders caused by the absence or reduced biosynthesis of melanin pigment within the melanocytes in the epidermis. Patients with OCA are prone to certain types of epidermal skin cancers, premalignant skin lesions, and eye-related symptoms and signs. The study aimed to evaluate the prevalence of common epidermal skin cancers and premalignant skin lesions in patients living with OCA attending an academic hospital in Bloemfontein, Free State province (South Africa). This research focused on individuals referred within the public health sector. We evaluated all patients with this specific condition across the entire Free State province of South Africa and in Lesotho. The study was conducted as a cross-sectional, retrospective review of the medical records of all patients known to the clinic, as well as those referred with OCA, from January 2017 to January 2019. A total of 36 patients were included in this study, with 11 (30.6%) males and 25 (69.4%) females. Thirty-two (88.9%) had a history of active or past epidermal skin cancers or pre-malignant skin lesions, while the remaining 4 (11.1%) had no history of secondary skin pathology. The distribution of the pathology was notable in relation to sun exposure, with the face being mostly affected in 31 (96.9%) of cases assessed. OCA has been identified as a risk factor for solar keratosis, squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), and basal cell carcinoma (BCC).