Chimney sweeps' carcinoma
| 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. 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.
This cancer is also referred to as epidermoid carcinoma of the scrotum and epithelioma of the scrotum.