Hairy cell leukaemia in a tertiary hospital in southern Nigeria: 10 year survey

The clinico-pathologic features, incidence and pattern of presentation of patients with the rare hairy cell leukaemia in University of Benin City Teaching Hospital, a major tertiary health centre in Niger Delta region of Nigeria have not been previously documented. All cases that presented from 1993 to 2003 were reviewed and this rare leukaemia constituted 1.5% of all haematological malignancies. Median age at presentation was 40 years. Typical clinical signs of pancytopenia and massive splenomegaly were found. Lymphadenopathy was rare. Normalization of pancytopenia was achieved by splenectomy followed by cytostatic agents but increased susceptibility to infection was not reduced. Four patients received interferon-alpha two patients, cladribine with prednisolone following splenectomy

Adult leukaemia in the Niger delta region of Nigeria

To determine the incidence and survival of patients with Leukaemia in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria, noted for its petrochemical industries. A prospective study of 120 cases of leukaemia from December 1993 to 2003. University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Demographic and clinical information including duration of illness before presentation was obtained by oral interview. Chronic Myeloid Leukaemia [CML] was the most frequent subtype [33.3%]. There was a strong association between the white blood cell count at presentation and 1 year survival in CML and CLL patients [p= 0.0001]. The 2-year survival for CML, CLL and PLL was 12.5%, 40% and 32% respectively. Duration of illness before presentation was found to influence 1-year survival in CML [p=0.0075] and CLL [p= 0.0001]. The 2-year survival is still very poor and this may not be unconnected with late presentation and other strong limiting factors