What are the most common types of skin cancer in people with albinism?

• Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA)
  • OCA1a: complete absence of melanin
  • OCA1b: some melanin production
  • OCA2: reduced melanin production, light-colored skin, hair, and eyes
  • OCA3: reddish-brown skin, reddish hair, hazel or brown eyes
  • OCA4: minimal melanin production, similar symptoms to OCA2
  • OCA5, OCA6, OCA7: very rare subtypes with few reported cases
• Ocular albinism: reduced coloring in retina and iris, doesn’t affect skin or hair
• Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome: symptoms similar to OCA, occurs with lung, bowel, and bleeding disorders, more common in Puerto Rico
• Chediak-Higashi syndrome: symptoms similar to OCA, fewer than 500 cases reported globally, skin usually creamy white to grayish
• Griscelli syndrome: extremely rare, albinism, immune issues, neurological issues, usually results in death within first decade of life

• Oculocutaneous albinism (OCA)
  • OCA is the most common and most serious kind of albinism
  • There are 8 subtypes of OCA, depending on the genes involved
  • People with OCA are more likely to get skin cancer, some as early as in teens
• Ocular albinism (OA)
  • OA affects only the eyes
  • People with OA have eyes that are sensitive to light, move quickly/controllably, are crossed, or have issues with near/farsightedness
• Hermansky-Pudlak syndrome
  • Rare form of albinism that also causes easy bruising and bleeding
• Chediak-Higashi syndrome
  • Rare form of albinism that can cause a low red blood cell count, an enlarged liver, and make you more likely to get infections
• Griscelli syndrome type 2
  • Rare condition that’s caused by a faulty gene
  • Symptoms include light skin, silver hair, and serious problems with the immune system that can damage organs/tissues

• Melanoma
  • 40-year-old Indian farmer with OCA presented with a rapidly growing dark-colored ulcer on his right cheek, a smaller ulcer on his right shoulder, and multiple dark, flat, patches on the skin since childhood
  • On examination, there was an irregular, pigmented, raised, crusted, and indurated ulcer on the right cheek measuring 5 cm × 3 cm suggestive of melanotic MM
  • Breslow thickness of 0.7 mm, staged as Clark’s level 2
• Basal Cell Carcinoma (BCC)
  • 5 mm round pearly nodule, suspicious of BCC, located lateral to the nasal bridge on the right side
  • Nodular BCC on histopathological examination, staged T1N0M0
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma (SCC)
  • Lesion on the right shoulder measured 3 cm × 2 cm, ulcerated and had a heaped up appearance with a necrotic base, suggestive of SCC
  • Well-differentiated SCC on histopathological examination, staged T2N0M0

• Skin cancer
  • It is a rare genetic disorder that causes reduced pigmentation of the hair and skin.
  • People with albinism are at an increased risk of developing skin cancer due to their lack of pigmentation.
  • Sunscreen is an important part of skin care for people with albinism, particularly high-SPF sunscreen.
  • People with albinism need to be extra careful to take measures to protect their skin from UV radiation.
• Ocular complications
  • People with albinism are visually impaired.
  • Most people with albinism have a range of ocular complications such as nystagmus, strabismus, amblyopia, and photophobia.

• Melanoma
  • People with albinism have skin that is very sensitive to light and sun. Sun exposure can cause sun damage, which may result in rough and thickened skin. Sunburn also can increase the risk of developing skin cancer.
  • Because of the lack of skin pigment, a type of skin cancer called melanoma may appear as pink or red growths or moles, rather than the usual black or brown color. This can make skin cancer harder to identify at an early stage. Without careful and regular skin exams, melanoma may not be diagnosed until it’s advanced.

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What are the risk factors for Kaposi Sarcoma in people with albinism?

• Basal Cell Carcinoma
  • Most common type of skin cancer, 4.3 million cases diagnosed in the US each year
  • Appears on areas of the body exposed to sun such as face, head, neck, arms
  • Signs to look out for include open sore that won’t heal, reddish patch or irritated area, shiny and waxy looking bump, slightly elevated pink growth with a raised border, white or yellow scar-like area
  • Has potential to invade surrounding tissue and grow into nerves and bones
• Squamous Cell Carcinoma
  • 1 million cases diagnosed in the US each year
  • Appears on areas of the body damaged by UV rays or anywhere on the body
  • Signs and symptoms include firm, red nodule, flat sore with scaly crust, new sore or raised area on old scar/ulcer, rough, scaly patch on lip, red sore or rough patch inside mouth, red, raised patch or wartlike sore on any other area of the body
  • Can spread to other parts of the body
• Malignant Melanoma
  • Most rapidly increasing form of malignant tumor in the US
  • Cancer of the melanocytes, can develop as a new mole or as a part of a pre-existing mole
  • Leading cause is sun exposure, risk doubles with more than five sunburns
  • Signs and symptoms to look out for include new mole on the skin or changes in size, shape, or color
  • ABCDE rule: asymmetry, border, color, diameter, evolving

• Kaposi Sarcoma
  • Mainly affects people with weakened immune systems
  • Appears as red or purple patches on the skin
  • Can form lesions in the lining of the mouth, lungs, anus, or digestive tract
• Actinic Keratosis
  • Caused by excessive exposure to UV radiation from the sun or indoor tanning
  • Appears as small, dry, scaly, or crusty patches of skin
  • Around 5 to 10 percent of AKs turn into skin cancer
• Lymphoma of the Skin
  • Begins in white blood cells
  • Can cause a rash, raised or scaly patches on the skin, or skin tumors
• Keratoacanthoma
  • Tumors that develop slowly and may even go away on their own without any treatment
  • Domed shaped and found on areas of the skin exposed to the sun
• Sebaceous Gland Carcinoma
  • Uncommon but aggressive cancers that start in the oil glands of the skin
  • Appear as hard nodules that are painless
• Dermatofibrosarcoma Protuberans (DFSP)
  • Rare type of skin cancer that begins in the middle layer of the skin
  • First sign is usually a small bump that looks like a deep-seated pimple or rough patch of skin

• Skin Cancer
  • Skin cancer is mentioned in the Diseases & Conditions, Darker Skin Tones, and Public Health Programs sections of the webpage.
  • Skin cancer can be prevented through awareness campaigns, free skin cancer screenings, and Shade Structure grants.
  • Dermatologists can help diagnose and treat skin cancer.
• Acanthosis nigricans
  • Acanthosis nigricans is mentioned in the Darker Skin Tones section.
  • It is a skin condition that can lead to dark spots and is more common in darker skin tones.
• Acne keloidalis nuchae
  • Acne keloidalis nuchae is mentioned in the Darker Skin Tones section.
  • It is a skin condition that can cause what feels like razor bumps or acne on the back of the neck or scalp.
• Hidradenitis suppurativa
  • Hidradenitis suppurativa is mentioned in the Darker Skin Tones section.
  • It is a skin condition that can cause painful lumps, bumps, and abscesses in areas with sweat glands.
• Keloid scars
  • Keloid scars are mentioned in the Darker Skin Tones section.
  • They are raised, reddish scars that can be caused by inflammation or injury to the skin.
• Lupus and your skin
  • Lupus and your skin is mentioned in the Darker Skin Tones section.
  • Lupus is an autoimmune disorder that can cause rashes, lesions, and other skin problems.
• Sarcoidosis and your skin
  • Sarcoidosis and your skin is mentioned in the Darker Skin Tones section.
  • Sarcoidosis is an inflammatory disorder that can cause skin lesions.
• Vitiligo
  • Vitiligo is mentioned in the Darker Skin Tones section.
  • It is an autoimmune disorder that can cause patches of skin to lose their pigment.

• Skin cancer
  • People with albinism have an increased risk of sunburn and skin cancer due to their light-colored skin.
  • They should limit their time outdoors and protect their skin, hair and eyes with sun-protective clothing, hats, sunglasses, and sunscreen.
• Vision problems
  • People with albinism may be legally blind, but they can learn to use their vision over time.
  • They may be able to correct problems with astigmatism, farsightedness and nearsightedness with eyeglasses or contacts.
• Social problems
  • People with albinism are at an increased risk of isolation due to the social stigma of the condition.
  • They should talk to their family, friends and therapists for support.

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