Clinical aspects of pulmonary and pleural carcinoma in Nigeria

Carcinoma of the lung may not be uncommon in Nigeria and other parts of tropical Africa. Twenty-seven cases of pulmonary and pleural carcinoma seen at UNTH Enugu, are reviewed; 20 were primary and 7 were secondary. The 20 patients with primary carcinoma were aged 35-75 years (mean 51.8 years); there were 14 males and 6 females. Cigarette smoking was the possible aetiological factor in 10 cases while exposure to asbestos products was elicited in a case of mesothelioma. Massive pleura effusion was present in 60% of cases. Different histological cell types were represented but squamous cell and adenocarcinoma were predominating. Resection could be achieved in only 3 cases. Mean survival period was 103.5 days for the primary carcinoma, and 80.8 days for the secondary carcinomas. With increasing industrialisation, atmospheric pollution and cigarette smoking in Nigeria, the incidence and problems of bronchopulmonary carcinoma would be expected to rise.