RESUMO
AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: This study characterises malignant lesions of lymph nodes seen in patients in the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital, which is the reference cancer center in the Niger Delta region. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Five-year retrospective study which reviewed haematoxylin and eosin stained slides of malignant lymph node lesions seen between January 2006 and December 2010. Request forms were reviewed for patients' age, sex, diagnosis and site. Nodes accompanying malignant lesions were noted and compared histologically with the lesions of the primary tissue for consistency of morphologic features. RESULTS: Malignant lesions were recorded in 49.8% of 237 lymph node biopsies. There were 54 males and 64 females. The age range was 2 to 72 years and the mean was 46.5 years. Peak age range was 60-69 years. Metastatic lesions constituted 59.3% while primary lymphoid malignancies constituted 40.7%. Majority of the metastases were from the breast Seventy-one per cent of NHL were of high grade, while 29% was of intermediate grade. Nine (56.3%) of the HL were of the nodular sclerosing type while 25% were of lymphocyte depleted and 12.5% were of lymphocyte rich types. The axillary lymph node was the commonest node involved in metastases followed by cervical lymph node. CONCLUSION: Metastatic lesions constitute the bulk of malignant lymph node lesions presenting in the Niger Delta region of Nigeria. The commonest primary lesions are from the breast in females. Implementing cancer-screening programmes and public enlightenment will reduce cancer prevalence in the region.
