| ORIGINAL ARTICLE |
|
| Year : 2010 | Volume
: 13
| Issue : 4 | Page : 80-83 |
|
|
Primary childhood head and neck neoplasms: An 8 -year histopathological review in a teaching hospital
Alex P Igbe, WHson O Akhiwu
Pathology Department, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria
Correspondence Address:
Alex P Igbe
Pathology Department, University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City. P O Box 10189, Ugbowo Benin City
Nigeria
 Source of Support: None, Conflict of Interest: None  | Check |
|
|
|
Background: Although infectious diseases remain the leading cause of death among children in our environment, neoplastic diseases have emerged as important cause of childhood morbidity and mortality.
Method: A retrospective review of neoplastic lesions of the head and neck region histologically diagnosed at University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) in children aged 0-14years between 2002 and 2009 was carried out with the aim of determining their incidence and histological patterns.
Results: A total of 266 neoplasms were diagnosed in this age group during the period out of which 123(46.2%) were located in the head and neck region. Seventy two cases (58.5%) were malignant while 51 (41.5%) were benign. Lymphoma was the commonest histological type of malignant tumour (51%) with Burkitt's lymphoma being the predominant subtype. The commonest benign tumours were haemangioma and neurofibroma each of which accounted for 8 cases (15.7%). The commonest sites for these lesions were jaw, eye and adnexa, soft tissues, peripheral nerves, and lymph nodes.
Conclusion: It is concluded that Burkitt's lymphoma remains the commonest childhood head and neck malignancy in the study population. The oral sites constituted about 40% of the tumours studied.
|
|
|
|
| [PDF]* |
|
 |
|
