Extensive unusual fibrosarcoma of the right thenar eminence--a case report

A fibrosarcoma of the right thenar eminence is presented. It is interesting that this lesion covered an area larger than the hand before presenting for definite treatment. The tumour was completely excised with minimum functional defect of the affected thumb. Many patients in the African subregion present when their tumours have reached enormous sizes just like this patient. The reason for this late presentation is that the patient prefers to visit herbalists, patent medicine dealers or private hospitals with minimum experience in specialised surgery. The patient's primary reason, apart from superstition, is the high cost of orthodox medical care. Our patients in Nigeria need a lot of health education which will enable them present early and the government should be able to identify their citizens who cannot pay their hospital bills, should be assisted so that operations will be promptly attended to.