Osteosarcoma of the Jaws Seen in a Nigerian Tertiary Health Institution

Abstract

Introduction: Jaw morbidity and mortality among African descend are rarely caused by bone tumors of malignant origin. Osteosarcoma being the most frequent primary malignant bone tumor account for 5.3%–9.5% of malignancies in some part of Africa, Nigeria, included. Its late occurrence and higher survival rate helps to differentiate it from that of a long bone and other locations. Patients and Methods: This is a retrospective study of patients seen at the Oral and Maxillofacial Clinic between January 2003 and December 2015. Results: Osteosarcoma constituted about 3% of all tumor seen within the study period with a high male dominance (60%). The mean age was 31.3 years, and the mandible was 74.3% more affected than the maxilla. Conclusion: Osteosarcoma of the jaws remains a challenge to the oral and maxillofacial surgeon in this part of the world.