Descriptive Epidemiology of Odontogenic Tumors in Nigeria: An African Oral Pathology Research Consortium Multicenter Study.

BACKGROUND: Many studies have investigated the burden of odontogenic tumor (OT) in Nigeria; however, the true burden and prevalence of these lesions are not known because these studies are based on a center/region. AIMS: Hence, the aim of this study is to evaluate the true burden of OTs in Nigeria, using a multicenter approach. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This is a 10-year retrospective cross-sectional study of OT seen in eight tertiary health institutions in different geographic locations in Nigeria. RESULTS: A total of 990 cases were included in this study. The highest prevalence of OT was in the third decade of life (n = 274, 27.7%). Most lesions were benign (n = 961, 97.1%), with a slight male preponderance; and the mandible was the commonest site (n = 814, 82.2%). There were a significant association between the diagnosed OTs and the age group and site (P = 0.002 and 0.031, respectively). CONCLUSION: OTs showed a slightly higher preponderance in males, occurring mostly in the third decade. Benign lesions were frequent and ameloblastoma was the commonest OT. Variations exist in the occurrence of OTs from the different geographic locations in Nigeria. This study essentially sheds a broader light on the clinicopathological distribution of OTs across Nigeria, using a large multicenter approach.

Potential latitudinal variation in orodigestive tract cancers in Africa.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have alluded to a causal relationship between pathological entities and geographical variations, but there is a paucity of studies from Africa discussing the effect of latitudinal variation on orodigestive cancers in this region. It seems plausible that the burden of orodigestive cancer would differ as a result of variations in diet, cultural habits, climate and environmental conditions down the length of Africa. OBJECTIVES: To analyse regional variations in prevalence, incidence and mortality data in the global cancer statistics database (GLOBOCAN 2012) curated by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Basic descriptive statistical tools were used to depict regional variations in cancer morbidity and mortality. METHODS: Data on 13 African countries between longitude 20° and 30° east and latitude 35° north and 35° south were examined for variation in age-standardised orodigestive cancer prevalence, incidence and mortality. Possible regional causes for orodigestive tract cancer development were investigated. Data on lip and oral cavity, oesophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, gallbladder and pancreatic cancers in the 13 countries were compared. RESULTS: Our empirical findings from this preliminary study support the notion that the incidence and prevalence of orodigestive cancers vary within Africa. This effect may be due to environmental, economic, political and possibly genetic factors. CONCLUSIONS: Considering the heterogeneity of the above factors across Africa, disbursement of funding for cancer research and therapy in Africa should be focused in terms of regional variations to make best use of the fiscal allocation by African governments, non-governmental organisations and international agencies.

Potential latitudinal variation in orodigestive tract cancers in Africa

Background. Previous studies have alluded to a causal relationship between pathological entities and geographical variations, but there is a paucity of studies from Africa discussing the effect of latitudinal variation on orodigestive cancers in this region. It seems plausible that the burden of orodigestive cancer would differ as a result of variations in diet, cultural habits, climate and environmental conditions down the length of Africa. Objectives. To analyse regional variations in prevalence, incidence and mortality data in the global cancer statistics database (GLOBOCAN 2012) curated by the World Health Organization and the International Agency for Research on Cancer. Basic descriptive statistical tools were used to depict regional variations in cancer morbidity and mortality.Methods. Data on 13 African countries between longitude 20° and 30° east and latitude 35° north and 35° south were examined for variation in age-standardised orodigestive cancer prevalence, incidence and mortality. Possible regional causes for orodigestive tract cancer development were investigated. Data on lip and oral cavity, oesophageal, gastric, colorectal, liver, gallbladder and pancreatic cancers in the 13 countries were compared. Results. Our empirical findings from this preliminary study support the notion that the incidence and prevalence of orodigestive cancers vary within Africa. This effect may be due to environmental, economic, political and possibly genetic factors.Conclusions. Considering the heterogeneity of the above factors across Africa, disbursement of funding for cancer research and therapy in Africa should be focused in terms of regional variations to make best use of the fiscal allocation by African governments, non-governmental organisations and international agencies

Inflammatory histopathogenesis of nasopalatine duct cyst: a clinicopathological study of 41 cases.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to characterize immunohistochemical profiles of lining epithelia of nasopalatine duct cyst (NPC) as well as to correlate those findings with their clinicopathological features to understand the histopathogenesis of NPC. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Forty-one surgical specimens from NPC were examined for clinical profiles and expression of keratin-7, 13, MUC-1, and P63 by immunohistochemistry, compared to radicular cyst (RC) and maxillary sinusitis. RESULTS: Nasopalatine duct cyst was clinically characterized by male predominant occurrence: 44% of the cases involved tooth roots, and 70% with inflammatory backgrounds. Lining epithelia of NPCs without daughter cysts were immunohistochemically distinguished into three layers: a keratin 7-positive (+) ciliated cell layer in the surface, a keratin-13+ middle layer, and a MUC-1+/P63+ lower half, indicating that they were not respiratory epithelia, and the same layering pattern was observed in RC. However, those immunolocalization patterns of the main cyst lining with daughter cyst were exactly the same as those of daughter cyst linings as well as duct epithelia of mucous glands. CONCLUSIONS: Two possible histopathogenesis of NPC were clarified: one was inflammatory cyst like RC and the other was salivary duct cyst-like mucocele.

Knowledge and Attitude of PLWHA concerning oral lesions of HIV/AIDS among patients of PEPFAR clinic in Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Lagos, Nigeria.

INTRODUCTION: Oral manifestations in Human Immunodeficiency virus/Acquired Immunodeficiency Disease Syndrome (HIV/AIDS) are associated with adverse effects on quality of life such as pain, difficulty in eating, bad breath, altered taste and sometimes altered appearance. There is also a predisposition to poor nutrition which confers an additional burden on the body's immune defences and the ability to fight off infections. Knowledge of the oral lesions will enable People Living with HIV/AIDS (PLWA) to seek dental treatment on time. AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: To assess the general knowledge of HIV/AIDS, its oral manifestations and willingness to know more about its oral lesions among people living with HIV/AIDS (PLWHA) in Lagos, Nigeria. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A structured questionnaire was administered to two hundred and thirty-five patients (235) who were randomly selected from attendees at an NGO clinic supporting PLWHA in Lagos. RESULTS: Majority of the participants exhibited poor knowledge of the oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS although many of them had fair knowledge of the general symptoms of HIV/AIDS. The high educational status of the subjects seemed to play little role in awareness of oral manifestations in HIV/AIDS as only 45(21.4%) of the participants had good overall knowledge having a range of 25-31 correct answers out of 210 participants. Many of the respondents (145, 69%) wish to know more about oral lesion of HIV/AIDS. CONCLUSION: Although there is a high awareness of the general symptoms of HIV/AIDS in the study group, there is poor awareness of the oral manifestations, their presentations and management. The study also showed that PLWHA would be willing to know more about the oral manifestations of HIV/AIDS and seek dental care for their management.

Functional and Selective Neck Dissection (IIa) Following Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Plate

Background: Neck dissection has been an adjunct surgical procedure in the management of malignancies affecting the head and neck region. Radical neck dissection was the original surgical procedure for the treatment of regional neck metastases. The aim of this paper is to report the management of a female patient with regional neck metastases from squamous cell carcinoma affecting the hard palate.Methods: A case report of a 60-year-old patient with squamous cell carcinoma of the palate who later manifested with an enlarged unilateral cervical lymph node ten weeks after surgery on the primary site. A functional and selective neck dissection in which the accessory nerve; internal jugular vein and sternocleidomastoid muscle were preserved and only the lymph node at the IIa level was removed was carried out under local anaesthesia.Results: The malignant ulcer on the palate was excised and the neck was dissected to remove the clinically enlarged lymph node. These procedures were uneventful and patient was referred for post- operative radiotherapy for possible residual tumours.Conclusion: There is need to reduce the morbidity and mortality associated with the radical neck dissection and this has led to the use of various levels of selective neck dissections as in the case presented