Primary tumors of the jaw in Nigerian children

Over a 13-year period at the University College Hospital in Ibadan, 152 cases of primary tumors of the jaw (excluding Burkett's lymphoma) were reported. These cases, which consisted entirely of Nigerian children under 19 years of age, were then reviewed and analyzed. The majority of the jaw tumors were benign with fibro-osseous lesions and ameloblastoma predominating.Common clinical features were late presentation and disfigurement which made aggressive surgery imperative. All cases of malignant tumors terminated fatally.