Clinical and Histological Features of Basal Cell Carcinoma in Patients Exposed to Agent Orange during the Vietnam War
- Author:
Donghoon LEE
1
;
Jiyoon BAEK
;
Anjin KIM
;
Hyun Ji KANG
Author Information
1. Department of Dermatology, Veterans Health Service Medical Center, Seoul, Korea
- Publication Type:Original Article
- From:Korean Journal of Dermatology
2024;62(2):77-81
- CountryRepublic of Korea
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Background:Agent Orange, an herbicide sprayed during the Vietnam War, is a known carcinogen. However, there have been no studies on its association with basal cell carcinoma (BCC) or the nature of BCC in defoliant-exposed patients.
Objective:To determine the clinical and histological characteristics of BCC in patients exposed to defoliants.
Methods:Chart analysis was performed on patients diagnosed with BCC at Veterans Health Service Medical Center from January 2011 to December 2020. The clinical data were compared between the defoliant-exposed and non-exposed groups. Histopathological characteristics were compared according to histological subtype and presence of pigmentation.
Results:Of 227 patients with BCC, 117 were defoliant-exposed and 110 were unexposed. The mean age at diagnosis of skin cancer was 73.9 years. The age at diagnosis was significantly lower in the defoliant-exposed group than in the unexposed group (71.3 years vs. 76.7 years, p＜0.001). In most cases, BCC was identified as pigmented papules and nodules on the face. Nonpigmented lesions were observed more frequently in the defoliant-exposed group than in the unexposed group; however, this difference was not statistically significant. Histologically, the nodular type was the most common subtype in both groups. Additionally, 33.3% of the defoliant group and 25.9% of the control group showed melanin pigmentation, and no statistically significant difference was observed in tumor depth between the two groups.
Conclusion:As veterans of the Vietnam War advance in age, dermatologists should continuously pay attention to BCC in defoliant-exposed patients, and early diagnosis and proper management should be ensured.
