Presentation of Colorectal Cancers in Benin-City; Nigeria

Background: Colorectal cancer is a major cause of cancer death worldwide; and the prevalence in Nigeria appears to be increasing due to a shift to western diets. We undertook a retrospective analysis of colorectal cancers seen at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital; Benin City from January 1983 to December 2002. Methods: One hundred and two cases involving the large bowel were encountered. These were analysed for age; sex; site; histological type and clinical features. Results: The mean age was 44.5 +/-4.5 years. Males accounted for 56 (54.9) cases; while 46(45.1) were females. Seventy two (70.2) of the tumours were located in the rectum. Adenocarcinoma was the predominant histological type; with 89 (87.2) cases. Fifty two (51) cases presented with intestinal obstruction. Conclusions: Conclusion; colorectal cancers are not rare in our environment as previously believed; though; the frequency in Benin City is relatively low

Pattern and Outcome of Childhood Teratoma: a 10-Year Review

Background: Teratomas are neoplasms which originate from pluripotent stem cells. They are composed of a wide variety of tissues foreign to the organ or anatomic site in which they arose. This study sought to determine the clinical manifestations and outcome of treatment of childhood teratomas. Method: A retrospective analysis of the case files of children treated for teratoma at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital Benin City; Nigeria between January 1999 and December 2008 was done. Results: Fifty-three children aged between 5 days and 16 years; comprising 15 males and 38 females with male:female ratio of 2:5 were treated for teratoma; gonadal 27(50.9) and extragonadal 26 (49.1). Ovarian; 23 (43.4) and sacrococcygeal; 17 (32.1) sites were frequently involved. Other sites included testicular; 4 (7.5); retroperitoneal; 4 (7.5) and renal; 2 (3.8); while posterior mediastinal; cervical and breast involvement were 1 (1.9) each. Despite late presentation; no frankly malignant primary teratoma was diagnosed. Benign cystic teratomas with malignant elements comprising yolk sac tumour and immature neuroepithelial elements (mixed germ cells tumour) were the major histological types. Complete tumour resection that included total coccygectomy; oophorectomy and orchidectomy; plus combination chemotherapy using vincristine; actinomycin; and cyclophosphamide was curative in 25 (47.2) children. Eighteen (34) cases of recurrence were all malignant. They presented very late with rapid disease progression that resulted in 10 (18.8) deaths during the five years of follow-up. Conclusion: Although all primary teratoma were benign; recurrent malignant tumours with rapid progression to carcinomatosis; multiple organs failure and deaths were common in childhood teratoma. We advocate close follow-up of all children with teratoma to detect and commence early treatment