title: Oro-facial tumours and tumour-like lesions in Greek children and adolescents: an 11-year retrospective study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine the epidemiology, histological diagnosis and treatment outcome of oro-facial tumours and tumour-like lesions in Greek children and adolescents.
  
  
  METHODS
  The medical records of patients with oro-facial lesions who presented at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at "A. & P. Kyriakou" Children's Hospital from 2000 to 2010 were reviewed. Data was analyzed in relation to age, gender, location, histology, treatment choice and outcome.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Two hundred and eleven oro-facial lesions were identified. Age ranged from 14 days to 15 years (mean 8 years); the male-to-female ratio was 1.09: 1; 90.05% of the lesions were benign and 9.95% malignant. Vascular anomalies were the most common benign lesion (22.1%) and rhabdomyosarcoma was the most prevalent malignancy (28.57%). One hundred and ten lesions (52.1%) involved soft tissue, most commonly the tongue and 96 cases (45.5%), involved hard tissue, most frequently the mandible; 5 lesions (2.4%) involved both hard and soft tissue. Surgery was performed under general anaesthesia in 198 cases (93.84%). Some malignant lesions were treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Oro-facial tumours and tumour-like lesions are not uncommon in the Greek paediatric population; although most frequently benign, these may cause considerable morbidity. As such early diagnosis and treatment are imperative.
authors.affiliation: University Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery, A. & P. Kyriakou Children's Hospital, Dental School, University of Athens, Greece.
authors.forename: I
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Iatrou
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Theologie-Lygidakis
authors.forename: F
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Tzerbos
authors.forename: O K
authors.initials: OK
authors.lastname: Schoinohoriti
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D002648:Child; D002675:Child, Preschool; D005153:Facial Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006115:Greece / Q000453:epidemiology; D006801:Humans; D007223:Infant; D007231:Infant, Newborn; D018190:Neoplasm, Lymphatic Tissue / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D008339:Mandibular Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D009062:Mouth Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology*; D020360:Neoadjuvant Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D009383:Neoplasms, Vascular Tissue / Q000453:epidemiology; D009808:Odontogenic Tumors / Q000453:epidemiology; D019647:Oral Surgical Procedures / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012208:Rhabdomyosarcoma / Q000453:epidemiology; D012983:Soft Tissue Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D014062:Tongue Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology; D016896:Treatment Outcome