Topographic pattern distribution of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in Benin-city, Nigeria: How common are these lesions?

Abstract

Studies have it that squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) of the head and neck has contributed hugely to the burden of cancer globally. In the United States of America head and neck SCC constituted vast majority (5-8%) of all cancer diagnosis. The objective of this study is to make a broad description of Head and neck cancer (HNC) frequency and Histological patterns in Benin-City, Nigeria and to compare these findings with other similar research works elsewhere. A review of histopathology diagnosis of all SCC of the HNC encountered at University of Benin Teaching Hospital (UBTH) between January 2008 and December 2012. All specimens were fixed in 10% formalin solution, processed with Histokinette automated tissue processor, paraffin embedded, and sectioned at 3-5 microns with microtome machine before staining with haematoxylin and eosin. The Histopathological diagnoses were analyzed with respect to age, sex, anatomical sites and histological patterns. A total of 216 cases constituting 83.4% of all head and neck malignancies were carcinomas. Of this 216 head and neck carcinomas, squamous cell carcinoma constituted 144 cases representing 66.7% of all head and neck carcinomas. The male to female ratio of SCC was 2:1. And the mean age was 56 years ± 4.8 SD. The most common site of distribution of SCC of the head and neck was the larynx constituting 43% of all head and neck SCC. In conclusion SCC constituted the most common head and neck cancer with th majority of cases encountered in males with a peak incidence seen in the 7 decades. Again the larynx and the nasopharynx are the most common anatomic head and neck sites of all SCC cases as this is similar to other studies globally.