title: Primary malignant tumors of orofacial region at Benghazi, Libya: a 17 years review.
abstract: 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.
authors.affiliation: Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, Faculty of Dentistry, Al-Arab Medical Science University, Benghazi, Libya. rajsubhash@rediffmail.com
authors.forename: Krishnaraj
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Subhashraj
authors.forename: Maraai
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Orafi
authors.forename: K V
authors.initials: KV
authors.lastname: Nair
authors.forename: Rafa
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: El-Gehani
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Elarbi
mesh_terms: 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