Paediatric head and neck cancers in Nigeria: implications for treatment planning in resource limited settings

ABSTRACT

Background: The head and neck (H/N) is a common site for childhood cancers. This study examined all cases of H/N childhood cancers diagnosed in a major teaching hospital in Nigeria over 18 years to determine patterns of broad lineage cancer groups. Materials and Methods: Primary pediatric childhood malignancies diagnosed between 1990 and 2008 were analysed. Logistic regression models were fitted to determine significant clinical correlates of childhood cancer. Results: Lymphomas were the commonest cancers (49.5). After controlling for site and age; there was no significant difference in the incidence of Burkitt's lymphoma (BL) by sex ( P=0.423). The jaw bones (mandible and maxilla) were the commonest sites in the H/N for involvement of BL; with over 20 times the odds of occurrence when compared to other non-jaw sites of the H/N region (Adjusted Odds Ratio [AOR]=21.41; P0.001). Among the jaw bones; there was no significant difference in the occurrence of BL ( P