Histopathologic spectrum of childhood tumours in a Tertiary Hospital: a ten-year review

Background: There has been a growing public health burden of childhood tumours in low and middle income countries (LMICs) as the trend in epidemiological transition continues to vary. Objective: The objective of this report is to determine the spectrum of childhood tumours at a tertiary hospital in Nigeria. Methods: A retrospective review of the histopathology register over the period January 2006 to December 2015. Results: The total paediatric tumour cases was 248, including 143 (57.7%) females and 105 (42.3%) males, aged 0 – 12 years (mean 6.1years ± 3.97 SD). The age group 2 - 5 year cohort had the highest prevalence of tumour. The predominant tumour based on tissue of origin was epithelial neoplasms 88 (35.5%), vascular neoplasms 56 (22.6%), neural neoplasm 42 (16.9%), mesenchymal neoplasm 37 (14.9%), germ cell neoplasm 13 (5.2%) and haematopoietic neoplasms 12 (4.8%). Majority of the tumours were benign, 148 (59.7%) and malignant 100 (40.3%). The most predominant benign tumour was haemangioma 33 (13.3%) and predominant malignant tumour was lymphoma 22 (8.9%). Conclusion: Benign tumours remain the commonest neoplasm of children in this hospital-based data. Development and implementation of a tumour registry would provide a more comprehensive information. Keywords: Childhood tumours; spectrum; haemangioma; lymphoma.

Childhood malignant tumours in owerri

Tittle: Childhood Malignant Tumours in Owerri; A Histopathological Review. Aim: The aim of this study is to evaluate the demographic and pathologic characteristics of childhood tumours in Owerri. Methodology: The surgical day books, histology request and report forms were studied and the clinico-pathologic information were retrieved and analyzed using SPSS version 20.0 Results: A total of 27 cases of malignant diseases of children were clinically diagnosed and histologically confirmed. The mean age of the patients were 10.17±4.33 years with age range of 1 to 18 years. The male to female ratio was 1:1.25. The peak age of incidence falls in the 6-10 age groups which accounted for 40.74%. Wilm’s tumor (Nephroblastoma) was the commonest 8 cases (29.63%), Embryonal Rhabdomyosarcoma 6 cases (22.22%), Neuroblastoma 4cases (14.81%), osteosarcoma 3cases (11.11%), yolk sac tumour of the ovary 2 cases (7.41%), one case “3.70%” each for retinoblastoma, soft tissue sarcoma and angiosarcoma