Bladder tumors in Benin city: a 15 year histopathological study

Abstract

A 15 year (1988 – 2002) retrospective study was undertaken to determine the frequency and histological pattern of bladder neoplasms seen in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital, Benin City, Nigeria. Forty–five cases were diagnosed. Males predominated constituting 35 (77.8%) cases, giving a M:F ratio of 3.5:1 with ages ranging from 1.5 – 75 years. Malignant neoplasms (40 cases) accounted for 88.9% of the bladder tumours and 1.85% of all malignant neoplasms seen during the study period. Contrary to most reports, the malignant neoplasms were predominantly transitional cell carcinoma constituting 27(67.2%) cases, with peak in the 7th and 8th decades, mean age of 61 years (SD + 13.3) and an age range of 33 – 75 years. Squamous cell carcinoma (SqCC) was relatively rare accounting for 15% malignant tumours. SqCC patients had a lower mean age 42 years (SD + 27.5) with ages ranging from 11 – 64 years. None of the SqCC cases showed evidence of schistosoma ova. Rhabdomyosarcoma, fibrosarcoma, non Hodgkin's lymphoma and metastatic tumours constituted 7.5%, 2.5%, 2.5% and 5% of the malignant tumours respectively. The benign tumours were all squamous papillomas comprising 5(11.1%) cases. Haematuria screening for individuals in high risk occupation, and provision of pipe borne water were recommended.

Keywords: bladder cancer, transitional cell carcinoma, squamous cell carcinoma

Nigerian Journal of Health and Biomedical Sciences Vol. 5(1) 2006: 105-109