Abstract
Objective: To determine the pattern of head and neck cancers in Sokoto north western Nigeria. Materials and method: This is a retrospective study of 131 histologically diagnosed head and neck cancers over a 5 year period(1999-2004) from Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital Sokoto Nigeria. Results: One hundred and thirty-one head and neck cancers were studied representing 21% of the total number of 623 histologically diagnosed malignancies in the centre during the 5year period (1999-2004).There were 77males(58.8%) and 54 females(41.2%).The male to female ratio was 1.43:1.The ages of the patients ranged from 9 months to 80 years. There were 69 carcinomas (52.7%), 27 lymphomas (20.6%),18 sarcomas(13.7%)and 17 blastomas (13.0%).Thirty-nine cases [30% ] were Head and neck squamous cell carcinomas. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (13%) was the commonest Head and neck cancer in adults spanning through the 3rd ,4th ,5th,6th and 7th decades of life with the highest number in the 5th decade.. Retinoblastoma (13.0%) was the commonest childhood head and neck cancer. Conclusion: The pattern of Head and neck cancers in this region involved every site and the younger age group When compared to other parts of the country,suggests that concerted efforts should be directed towards prevention and setting up of more centres for screening, diagnosis, treatment and rehabilitation of head and neck cancers..