title: Orofacial biopsies: a survey of 1,723 cases seen over a 10 year period.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the distribution pattern of orofacial lesions according to age, sex, anatomic location and to compare the findings with reported African and Western series.
  
  
  METHODS
  A survey of 1,723 orofacial biopsies over a 10 year period.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery Department of Harare Central Hospital, Harare, Zimbabwe, the major referral centre in the country.
  
  
  METHODS
  Records of 1,723 patients who had orofacial biopsies were surveyed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Males were relatively more frequently affected (54.5pc) than females. Non-odontogenic lesions were seen relatively frequently and these constituted 55.9pc of total cases; 39.3pc of the non-odontogenic lesions were epidermoid carcinoma. Ameloblastoma comprised 79.1pc of odontogenic lesions; 22.9pc of cystic lesions were dentigerous cysts.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  The distribution pattern of oro-facial lesions is similar to that in other reported studies. Ameloblastoma is the most frequently seen odontogenic tumour. Minor salivary gland neoplasms were seen in relatively large numbers and in a younger age group compared to reported series. This finding is similar to other African series.
authors.affiliation: Department of Surgery, Medical School University of Zimbabwe, Avondale Harare, Zimbabwe.
authors.forename: M M
authors.initials: MM
authors.lastname: Chidzonga
authors.forename: V M
authors.initials: VM
authors.lastname: Lopez
authors.forename: A L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Portilla Alvarez
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D001706:Biopsy; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005260:Female; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D006786:Hospitals, Urban; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D007223:Infant; D007570:Jaw Cysts / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000473:pathology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D011159:Population Surveillance; D017678:Sex Distribution; D015030:Zimbabwe / Q000453:epidemiology