Head and neck cancer in Plateau state of Nigeria

Seventy three cases of histopathologically confirmed head and neck cancer were observed over a period of three years. The commonest sites affected, in order of frequency were neck region, nose and paranasal sinuses, salivary glands and nasopharynx. Head and neck cancer occurred more often in males and in the third and fourth decades of life. Muslim and Christian Communities were affected most equally. Histopathologically, carcinomas predominated over sarcomas with lymphomas occurring in between. The pattern of head and neck cancer in the plateau State has been compared with that reported from Oyo State of Nigeria, some other African countries and Manipur State of India.