San Diego, CA — A recent study presented at the Skin of Color Society Scientific Symposium, held ahead of the American Academy of Dermatology Annual Meeting, sheds light on significant risks faced by Black and Asian patients diagnosed with apocrine adenocarcinoma (AA). The study, titled “Assessment of Secondary Primary Malignancies in Apocrine Adenocarcinoma by Racial Group,” was presented in a poster authored by Kripa Ahuja from Eastern Virginia Medical School.
Apocrine adenocarcinomas are rare skin tumors often found in areas with dense sweat glands and can be aggressive, with about 30% of patients experiencing metastasis and lymph node invasion.
Research Background and Methodology:
The study delved into the risk of secondary primary malignancies (SPMs) in patients of different racial backgrounds compared to White patients. Previous data on SPM risk among AA patients, particularly those of skin of color, have been limited, as reported cases mostly involve White patients.
The study utilized the Surveillance, Epidemiological, and End Result (SEER) database to assess SPM risk among AA patients who survived at least two months post-diagnosis. Observed: Expected ratios were used to calculate the risk of SPMs among AA survivors compared to the general population, with statistical significance set at p < 0.05.
Key Findings:
Among 3,224 AA cases from various racial groups, White patients accounted for the majority (68%). Notably, Black (11%) and Asian (10%) patients exhibited higher risks of developing SPMs compared to White patients. The study revealed:
- White patients had an Observed: Expected ratio of 1.22 (95% CI: 1.06-1.39).
- Black patients showed an Observed: Expected ratio of 1.78 (95% CI: 1.31-2.37), with a significant risk of lung SPMs (Observed: Expected ratio 2.31; 95% CI: 1.05-4.38).
- Asian patients demonstrated an Observed: Expected ratio of 1.22 (95% CI: 1.07-2.24), with a significant risk of tongue SPMs (Observed: Expected ratio 19.97; 95% CI: 2.42-72.13).
Conclusions:
The study highlights that Black and Asian AA patients face higher risks of developing secondary primary malignancies compared to White patients. Kripa Ahuja emphasized the importance of cancer surveillance for AA survivors, with specific attention to racial characteristics and variability. Despite the limitations related to time length bias, these findings underscore the necessity of tailored monitoring and care for AA patients of diverse racial backgrounds.
