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

Primary Childhood Head and Neck Neoplasms: an 8-Year Histopathological Review in a Teaching Hospital

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 hich123(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 40of the tumours studied