Abstract
Background and objectives Skin cancers in albinos are frequent in sunny countries. The surgeon plays a crucial role
in their treatment. The objective was to describe the challenges of surgical management of skin cancer in albinos.
Methods Retrospective, descriptive, and multicenter study on skin cancer surgery in albinos performed over the past
14 years in Ouagadougou. We were interested in surgery indications, techniques, and results. Survival was assessed
using the Kaplan–Meier method. Comparisons of proportions were made by Student’s t-test.
Results The cancers were multiple synchronous in 41.3%. We identifed 46 albinos with 71 skin cancers. Surgery
was performed in 93%. Lesions were located on the back, upper limbs, and head and face in 40.9%, 30.3%, and 16.7%,
respectively. Precancerous lesions were treated concomitantly in 23.6%. The surgery consisted of a lumpectomy.
Direct suturing and mobilization of faps allowed skin coverage in 17.9% and 34.3%, respectively. Lymph node dissection was associated with the limbs in 73.1% of localizations. The average number of lymph nodes removed was 11,
with extremes of 7 and 14. Node invasion was noted in 16 out of 19 cases. The resection margins were invaded
in 7.5% and required surgical revision. Recurrences were noted in 8.9% of cases. Overall 2-year survival rate was 55.8%.
Conclusions Surgery must meet the triple challenge of treating single or multiple synchronous cancers, precancerous lesions, and allowing good healing. Early diagnosis would reduce the rate of secondary healing and improve
survival. The absence of extemporaneous histology and the large size of the tumors associated with the delay in diagnosis meant that surgery, whenever possible, was limited to wide and deep resection, to ensure healthy margins.
Highlights
The surgeon plays a crucial role in the management of skin cancers in albinos. He resects the cancers. He must
also ensure skin coverage during the same operating time or at a diferent time after large resections, using oncoplastic techniques if necessary. He participates in the prevention of skin cancers in this at-risk group by detecting
and removing precancerous lesions. In collaboration with dermatologists and oncologists, he participates in the planning of medical treatments and radiotherapy. He also helps to raise awareness among albinos of the risks and means
of protection against skin cancers.
Keywords Albinos, Skin cancer, Multifocal, Lumpectomy, Skin faps

Albinos Skin cancer Multifocal Lumpectomy