Histological types of soft-tissue sarcomas at the lagos university teaching hospital

There is scanty data on histologically diagnosed soft-tissue sarcomas in the Nigerian literature. This is due to paucity of facilities for ancillary testing as well as a dearth of specialist soft tissue pathologists. Knowledge however of the common soft-tissue sarcomas is vital for the establishment of an effective sarcoma service. The aim of this study, therefore, was to determine the histological spectrum of soft-tissue sarcomas in Lagos, Nigeria.

Archival haematoxylin and eosin (H and E)-stained slides were retrieved and reviewed by a team of soft-tissue pathologists at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital, London, UK. Immunohistochemistry and fluorescent in situ hybridisation studies were performed on cases without definitive diagnosis on routine H and E.

Fifty-two cases were studied. The male-to-female ratio was 1:1.3, with a median age of 33 years. Most sarcomas (57.5%) were of intermediate malignant potential according to 2013 World Health Organization classification. Kaposi sarcoma (37.5%), undifferentiated sarcomas (22.5%), dermatofibrosarcoma protuberans (15%) and myxofibrosarcomas (7.5%) were the most common sarcomas seen in adults. There was no case of liposarcoma. Sarcomas in the younger age group (<20 years) accounted for 23.1% of cases with embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma accounting for the majority.

Soft-tissue sarcomas in adults in Lagos Nigeria show a different morphologic spectrum than those reported in Western countries.