Primary malignant tumors of orofacial region at Benghazi, Libya: a 17 years review.
The aim of this study was to systematically analyze the clinical presentations of orofacial malignant tumors in a Libyan population over a period of 17 years and compare the results with the reports from other countries. During the study period, tumors of epithelial origin were found in 160 patients (82%), followed by tumors of immune system, 22 (11%) and tumors of mesenchymal origin, 14 (7%). Of the total malignant tumors, 115 were men and 81 were women and the male to female ratio was 1.41:1. Malignant non-odontogenic tumors were seen in 194 patients (99%) and malignant odontogenic tumors were seen in 2 patients (1%). Among the epithelial tumors, squamous cell carcinoma (50.6%) was the most common neoplasm, followed by mucoepidermoid carcinoma (15%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (8.7%). The incidence of oral malignancy is impressively low with respect to the corresponding levels in other countries in Africa and some European countries.
Subhashraj
Krishnaraj
K
Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Al-Arab Medical Science University, Benghazi, Libya. rajsubhash@rediffmail.com
Orafi
Maraai
M
Nair
K V
KV
El-Gehani
Rafa
R
Elarbi
Mohammed
M
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D017677:Age Distribution; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D015994:Incidence; D008002:Libya / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000473:pathology*; D055815:Young Adult