Prevalence of Head and Neck Cancers in Lokoja, Kogi State, North Central Nigeria

Abstract

Background: Head and Neck cancers constitute about 5-8% of total body cancers and are more common among the elderly, those with previous exposure to radiation, petrochemical byproducts and anti-cancers' drugs. Alcohol and tobacco have a synergistic causal effect on these cancers. Managing these cancers is challenging due to late presentation, funds and lack of necessary facilities.
Objectives: To determine the prevalence of head and neck cancers in Lokoja, to have a baseline data for future references and for public awareness programs.
Materials and Methods: A review of the data obtained from the Cancer Registry at Federal Medical Centre Lokoja North Central Nigeria from 2009 January to 2016 December was under taken and results presented in text and table format.
Results
A total of 303 cancers were histological diagnosed and registered in the hospital cancer register. They were 114 breast (37.8%), 99 prostate (32.7%), 31 skin (1023%), 28 lymphatic (9.24%), 18(5.9%) head and neck cancers and 13(4.2%) others. Of the 18 head and neck cancers found, Males were 8 and females were 10, and the male to female ratio was 1:1.25. Their ages range from 11 to 80 years, with a mean age of 28.33 years and a modal age of 51-60 years. Nasopharyngeal cancers were found commonest (38.8%), followed respectively by parotid cancers (22.2%) and thyroid cancers (11.1%).
Conclusions
Although head and neck cancers are relatively uncommon, this study had shown that they exist and with nasopharyngeal cancer being the commonest. A total of 303 cancers were histological diagnosed and registered in the hospital cancer register. They were 114 breast (37.8%), 99 prostate (32.7%), 31 skin (1023%), 28 lymphatic (9.24%),