Estimating the burden of head and neck cancers in the public health sector of Pakistan.

This study was designed to establish the burden of head and neck cancers (HNCA) in public sector based cancer centres of Pakistan. Data were obtained from the central body governing all the cancer centres in the country. The frequency of treated HNCAs out of the total body cancers treated across Pakistan was found to be 14.5%. Highest prevalence rates amongst all cancers were noted in Sind, notably in Karachi and Jamshoro, followed by Multan in Punjab and a much lower frequency in Peshawar in the North West Frontier Province. This variation presumably reflects levels of betel quid consumption but more data are needed to be gathered in a comprehensive way if the findings are to be applicable for improvement of the national cancer control program.

Removal of large infratemporal fossa schwannoma; case report and review of literature

Schwannomas are encapsulated benign tumors of the Schwann cells. Schwannomas arising in the infratemporal fossa [ITF] are rarely reported. We report a case of ITF schwannoma extending to the skull base and orbital floor, involving posterior ethmoidal cells, retrobulbar region, buccal space part of posterior maxilla and right maxillary sinus. A 35-year old female presented to us with swelling on the right side of the face. Biopsy revealed a schwannoma. The tumor was successfully removed via anterior approach through modified Weber-Ferguson incision. Modified Weber-Ferguson incision is a useful approach for the removal of large benign tumors arising in the infratemporal fossa that involve the maxilla and maxillary sinus