Saudi Arabia's Incidence of Skin Cancer and its Risk Factors: A Scoping Review

Objectives: Skin cancer accounts for 2.2% of newly diagnosed cancer cases in Saudi Arabia, according to the Saudi Cancer Registry 2020. While studies indicate skin cancers primarily occur in the extremities, head, neck and mucosal regions, comprehensive data on prevalence, mortality, morbidity, treatment modalities and overall burden in Saudi Arabia are lacking. This scoping review aimed to analyze existing literature on skin cancer within the Saudi population, assess its prevalence and potential risk factors and identify knowledge gaps. We systematically searched PubMed, Web of Science, SCOPUS and Science Direct databases, utilizing the Rayyan QCRI tool for data organization and synthesis. The review included 15 studies encompassing 2,596 patients, of whom 1,378 (56.2%) were male. Our analysis revealed basal cell carcinoma (BCC), squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and malignant melanoma as the most common types. BCC and SCC predominantly affected the head and neck, while melanoma more often impacted the extremities. Surgical intervention was the primary treatment approach. Key risk factors identified included occupational pesticide exposure, UV radiation susceptibility and genetic predisposition. This review highlights the need for a comprehensive nationwide screening program to evaluate the prevalence of skin-related issues in Saudi Arabia and address the identified knowledge gaps in skin cancer epidemiology and management.