Malignant Tumors of Skin and Its Adnexae in Karnataka

Skin is being complex and the largest organ of the body, is vulnerable to wide range of diseases, like malignancy. It is most exposed part to harsh environment and its pollutants. Like increase in amount of Ultraviolet radiations involved in tumor induction and also co-carcinogen, ionizing radiation, nitrogen mustard, electron beam irradiation, chemical carcinogens, Viral infections acting as direct carcinogens or as promoting agents are predisposed to cutaneous malignancies. Diagnosis of skin tumors depends on correlating clinical clues and histological features. This study “occurrence of malignant tumors of skin in Karnataka” was carried out for 18 months, from 2005 to 2007. 54 skin tumors were studied. Out of these 40 were malignant tumors 74.07%.Skin tumors constitute a small but significant proportion of cancer patients. Unlike in the Western countries, SCC is the commonest histological variety. In India, the carcinogenic potential of both chemicals and radiation cannot be ignored.