Adult head and neck lymphomas in Papua New Guinea: a retrospective study of 70 cases.
BACKGROUND
During a 10-year period (1986-95), 70 adult Papua New Guineans with head and neck lymphomas were seen in the 18 years-and-above age group.


METHODS
The clinical information was obtained from the medical records section of the Port Moresby General Hospital. Relevant treatment modalities and the follow-up data were acquired from the National Cancer Centre, Angau Memorial Hospital, Lae.


RESULTS
Of a total of 227 adult lymphomas recorded in a 10-year period, 70 cases were seen in the head and neck region. Non-Hodgkin's lymphoma constituted 56 cases, which included seven cases of adult Burkitt's-like lymphoma. Fourteen cases of Hodgkin's lymphoma were recorded.


CONCLUSIONS
In Papua New Guinea, malignant lymphomas primarily affecting the head and neck region were seen in 30.8% of all lymphomas. This constitues 2.8% of all malignancies in this region. These lymphomas appear to be more aggressive at this site. Proper tissue diagnosis and combination chemoradiotherapy are the key factors in its management.
Dubey
S P
SP
Department of Otolaryngology, Port Moresby General Hospital, Papua New Guinea.
Sengupta
S K
SK
Kaleh
L K
LK
Morewaya
J T
JT
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002051:Burkitt Lymphoma / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000532:radiotherapy; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D003520:Cyclophosphamide / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D006801:Humans; D008228:Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000532:radiotherapy; D008466:Mechlorethamine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D008727:Methotrexate / Q000008:administration & dosage; D009512:New Guinea / Q000453:epidemiology; D011241:Prednisone / Q000008:administration & dosage; D011344:Procarbazine / Q000008:administration & dosage; D012042:Registries; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D014750:Vincristine / Q000008:administration & dosage
D011344:Procarbazine; D008466:Mechlorethamine; D014750:Vincristine; D003520:Cyclophosphamide; D011241:Prednisone; D008727:Methotrexate