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Salivary gland neoplasms in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria
E C Otoh1, N W Johnson, H Olasoji
1Basic Science and Research Division, Regional Centre for Oral Health Research and Training Initiatives (RCORTI) for Africa, Jos, Nigeria. ecotoh@yahoo.co.uk
Objective:
To document the pattern of salivary gland neoplasia in Maiduguri, Nigeria.
Design And Setting:
A retrospective clinical and histopathological review (January 1987-December 2002) of cases diagnosed at a tertiary care hospital.
Materials And Methods:
Information on demographics, diagnosis and cancer management in the hospital were retrieved from biopsy reports and case notes of patients.
Results:
The palatal (71.9%) and parotid (78.3%) glands were the most common minor and major salivary glands involved, with a benign-malignant ratio of 1:1 and 1.4:1, respectively. Pleomorphic adenoma (44.3%) was the most common salivary gland neoplasm recorded. It was commonly reported in the third decade (mean 30.4 years) and among males (M:F, 1.4:1). Ectopic lesions (17.1%) were reported in the neck, nose and cervical nodes. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (10.1%) was the most common salivary gland malignancy, occurring in the second and sixth decades; of equal gender distribution and predominantly in the palate (50%). The squamous cell carcinoma (10.9%) and adenoidcystic carcinoma (21.9%) were the most common malignancies in the major and minor glands respectively. There was a higher prevalence of malignancies of the parotid than previously reported for northern Nigeria (P = 0.036).
Conclusion:
Pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were the most commonly reported benign and malignant neoplasia in this series. The prevalence of mucoepidermoid carcinoma contrasts with reported findings in other African studies.
