Morphological Pattern of Benign Skin Tumors in a Teaching Hospital in Southeast Nigeria

Background: Benign skin tumors are non-malignant neoplasms of skin origin. They are not uncommon and some have the dreaded propensity for malignant transformation. Aim: The aim of this study is to determine the morphological pattern and distribution of benign skin tumors in a tertiary hospital in southeast Nigeria. Methods: This is a retrospective review of all histologically diagnosed benign skin tumors at a teaching hospital in southeast Nigeria between 2009 and 2019. Information was gathered from the patients’ clinical notes and registers on age, sex, region of body involved, and histological diagnoses. Results: One hundred and seven benign skin tumors were seen within the 11 years of this study. The mean age of the patients was 36±18 years with a male-to-female ratio of 1:1.14. Benign soft tissue skin tumors (comprised mostly dermatofibromas and keloids) were the commonest benign skin tumors (61.5%) followed by keratinocytic tumors (27.5%), appendageal tumors (7.0%), melanocytic tumors (3.0%), and neural tumors (1.0%). There was no case of hematolymphoid tumors or inherited tumor syndromes. The modal age range of benign skin tumors was 20–29 years. Conclusion: Benign soft tissue skin tumors (dermatofibromas followed by keloids) were the commonest benign skin tumors. Skin adnexal tumors and keloids were seen mostly on the head and neck region.