Dentistry

Abstract

Lower Face Tumors of Non-Burkitt Origin in Malawi

Sharma K, Luiz T, Rothe C, Prin M, Castner T, Namboya F and Pollach G

Background: Prevalence, demography and histology of non-Burkitt facial tumors is not known in Malawi.
Methods: A quantitative, prospective, monocentric study was conducted. 77 consecutive patients presenting to our dentistry department in Blantyre from 17.6.-16.5.2013 with lower face tumors. Data included age, gender, site of lesion, malignant features and histopathology.
Results: Mandibular tumors were found in 23 patients (29.9%). Gingiva was affected in 11.7%, palate in 8 (10.4%), maxilla in 7 (9.1%) and the tongue in 7 (9.1%) patients. Twentyfive (32.5%) of the lesions were malignant. Fourteen of them (56%) were diagnosed as squamous cell carcinoma (SCC), three as Kaposi´s (12%). Other types of malignancies were rare. Malignant tumors were mostly found related to the palate (32%) or to the tongue (20%).
Most tumors were benign. Fibro-osseous lesions, cysts and ameloblastoma dominating. Patients with cemented fibroma (7 cases or 9.1%), ameloblastoma (5 cases or 6.5%) and cysts of odontogenic or non-odontogenic origin (13 cases or 16.9%) were seen most often. 50.6% of our patients suffered from benign tumours. 36.4% had benign odontogenic tumours. 38.9% non-odontogenic tumors.
Frequency of malignancies for women between 50 and 70 was high (40%).
Conclusion: Prevalence of ameloblastoma, frequency of malignancies for women between 50 and 70 and the significance of the palate as a site for malignant tumors differed from previous findings. Hopefully results will direct investment in maxillofacial surgery/anaesthesia in resource poor settings.