title: Salivary gland neoplasms in Maiduguri, north-eastern Nigeria.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To document the pattern of salivary gland neoplasia in Maiduguri, Nigeria.
  
  
  METHODS
  A retrospective clinical and histopathological review (January 1987-December 2002) of cases diagnosed at a tertiary care hospital.
  
  
  METHODS
  Information on demographics, diagnosis and cancer management in the hospital were retrieved from biopsy reports and case notes of patients.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The palatal (71.9%) and parotid (78.3%) glands were the most common minor and major salivary glands involved, with a benign-malignant ratio of 1:1 and 1.4:1, respectively. Pleomorphic adenoma (44.3%) was the most common salivary gland neoplasm recorded. It was commonly reported in the third decade (mean 30.4 years) and among males (M:F, 1.4:1). Ectopic lesions (17.1%) were reported in the neck, nose and cervical nodes. Mucoepidermoid carcinoma (10.1%) was the most common salivary gland malignancy, occurring in the second and sixth decades; of equal gender distribution and predominantly in the palate (50%). The squamous cell carcinoma (10.9%) and adenoidcystic carcinoma (21.9%) were the most common malignancies in the major and minor glands respectively. There was a higher prevalence of malignancies of the parotid than previously reported for northern Nigeria (P = 0.036).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Pleomorphic adenoma and mucoepidermoid carcinoma were the most commonly reported benign and malignant neoplasia in this series. The prevalence of mucoepidermoid carcinoma contrasts with reported findings in other African studies.
authors.affiliation: Basic Science and Research Division, Regional Centre for Oral Health Research and Training Initiatives (RCORTI) for Africa, Jos, Nigeria. ecotoh@yahoo.co.uk
authors.forename: E C
authors.initials: EC
authors.lastname: Otoh
authors.forename: N W
authors.initials: NW
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Olasoji
authors.forename: I S
authors.initials: IS
authors.lastname: Danfillo
authors.forename: O A
authors.initials: OA
authors.lastname: Adeleke
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009549:Nigeria / Q000453:epidemiology; D010157:Palatal Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D010307:Parotid Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012468:Salivary Gland Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D017678:Sex Distribution