| Scrotal cancer | |
|---|---|
| Other names | Chimney sweep's cancer Soot wart squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum |
 | |
| Watercolour drawing of a case of chimney sweep's cancer. Drawn by Horace Benge Dobell, physician, whilst a student at St Bartholomew's Hospital Medical School. | |
| Specialty | Oncology |
| Symptoms |
|
| Usual onset | 37.7 years |
| Causes | Warts caused by soot irritation develop into cancer |
| Risk factors | Occupational exposure of young male chimney sweeps to soot |
| Treatment | Surgical removal |
Chimney sweeps' cancer, also called soot wart or scrotal cancer, is a squamous cell carcinoma of the scrotum. It has the distinction of being the first reported form of occupational cancer, and was initially identified by Percivall Pott in 1775.[1] It was initially noticed as being prevalent amongst chimney sweeps. The disease has also been seen in men exposed to mineral oil and those who worked with coal distillates.[2]
This cancer is also referred to as epidermoid carcinoma of the scrotum and epithelioma of the scrotum.[2]
- ^ General Surgery Lecture notes, H. Ellis, Wiley Blackwell, 12th edition
- ^ a b Azike, Jerome E. (14 July 2009). "A Review of the History, Epidemiology and Treatment of Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Scrotum". Rare Tumors. 1 (1): 47–49. doi:10.4081/rt.2009.e17. ISSN 2036-3613. PMC 2994436. PMID 21139888.