Plasma cell myeloma in a tertiary centre in Niger delta region of Nigeria: Clinicoimmunologic Analysis

To determine the incidence and pattern of presentation of patients with multiple myeloma [MM] in a tertiary health center in Edo state, Niger Delta region of Nigeria noted for its petrochemical industries and gas flare sites. A retrospective study of 30 cases of MM from 1992 to 2004. University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Clinicoimmunologic information in addition to autopsy findings was obtained from case-files. Diagnosis was established according to the standard definition and staged according to the Durie-Salmon clinical staging system. Advanced stages of the disease [II-III] and performance status scale of 2-4 with pathological fractures were the main form of presentation. Overall median survival was three months [P<0.0001] with 33.3% of the patients surviving at 12 months and 13.3% at 24 months. Bone pains and anaemia with pathological fractures were the commonest characteristic features with a short three months median survival rate

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