Pattern of Skin Cancers in a Tertiary Medical Center in Southwest Nigeria

Background: Skin cancers are the most common malignancies in the western world, and their incidence is increasing globally. However, the data about the pattern in sub-Saharan Africa are limited. This study evaluates the pattern of primary skin malignancies in a tertiary medical center located in a sub-urban area. Methods: The histo-pathological records of patients managed for malignancies from January 2012 to December 2020 were retrieved from the pathology department of a tertiary medical center in Ekiti State, Southwest Nigeria. All primary skin cancers seen within this study period were extracted from the records and then reviewed retrospectively. Results: The male-to-female ratio of primary skin malignancies was 1:1.06, and the mean age of patients was 57.2 ± 17years. All patients were black Africans who were mainly of the Yoruba ethnicity (97.2%). Squamous cell cancer had the highest frequency (34.7%), followed by melanoma (27.8%), dermatofibrosarcoma (12.5%), and basal cell carcinoma (11.1%). The most commonly affected anatomic region is the lower limbs (50.6%). Conclusion: The pattern of primary skin cancers seen in black Africans differ from that of Caucasians: however, larger community-based studies in our environment is recommended to provide more conclusive information about the pattern of skin cancers

Clinicopathological Profile of Aural Polypoidal Masses: A Retrospective Study of 41 Cases

Background/Aim: Several diseases can affect the external auditory canal (EAC) which may cause conductive hearing loss among other things. However, some of them are locally invasive and if they are not diagnosed early may lead to morbidity with low quality of life. The aim of this study was to determine the clinicopathological profile of aural polypoidal masses as well as their treatment and outcome Methodology: An 8 – year retrospective clinicopathologic analysis of patients with aural mass seen and treated at the ENT clinic of Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti and Group Consultant Clinic (Private Clinic), Ado Ekiti, Nigeria between July 2007 and June 2015 was carried out. Information on patient’s biodata, clinical and histological diagnosis, treatment and outcome were retrieved from their case notes. Results: Forty one (41) patients had complete data for analysis. Their age ranged from 6 to 63 years. Majority (34.1%) of the patients falls within the age group of 20 – 30 years. Thirty (73.2%) were males with male: female ratio of 2.7:1. Right ear were more affected than the left in 65.9 % of the patients. The major complaints they presented with was otalgia 30 (73.2%). The commonest histological diagnosis was aural polyp in 17(41.5 %) of the patients after surgical excision (simple aural polypectomy). Conclusion: Aural masses of different forms are commonly present to Otolaryngologist. Otalgia was the commonest symptom leading to early presentation in our study. All the patients had simple aural polypectomy. Commonest histological diagnosis was aural polyps. Histopathology remains the key tool in differentiating aural masses. Early diagnosis will prevent morbidity and mortality

Investigación sobre las consecuencias irritantes de los productos químicos en el tracto respiratorio de los embalsamadores

Exposure to toxic substances including embalming chemicals was established as health hazard depending on specific properties of contaminant, exposure situations and individual’s health status. Health hazards from embalming practices amongst a fraction of licenced embalmers were investigated: auditing safety and comfortability in embalmment, demonstration of respiratory occupational health hazards and analysis of basic precautionary measures in embalmment. Study conducted in hospitals’ mortuaries and anatomic laboratories. A proforma designed for collection of data was categorized into 4-sections: socio-demographics; mortuary design; pre-employment assessment; and respiratory function. Mortuaries/anatomic laboratories across Ekiti, Nigeria were scheduled by a team of investigators administering proforma on each centre and individuals involved. Controls were drawn from other workers outside embalming/anatomy departments of same institution. Data collated and analysed with statistical-significance as p<0.05. Sixty-eight workers participated with 34 each for case and control. Embalmers’ highest age-group (18-44years) constituted 17(50.0%). Religion: Christianity 31(91.2%) and Islam 3(8.8%). Education: primary 6(17.6%); secondary 14(41.2%) and tertiary 14(41.2%). Respiratory rates, forced expiratory volumes within 1-second and maximum voluntary volumes were statistically-significant while relative differences were observed in tidal volumes. Concordance test (p>0.05) showed inter-dependency amongst the parameters assessing respiratory function. Embalmment was dreadful on respiration of embalmers by deranging lung volumes. Approximative 6% of embalmers developed obstructive respiratory lesion equated to a disaster. Embalming centres in this locality, perhaps, Nigeria at large were rated low due to myriad of unwarranted exposure to embalming fluids. Standard and well-equipped mortuaries/anatomic laboratories were recommended in reducing to the barest minimum: dreadful effects of embalming chemicals, typically, Formaldehyde.   La exposición a sustancias tóxicas, incluidos los productos químicos de embalsamamiento, se estableció como un peligro para la salud dependiendo de las propiedades específicas de los contaminantes, las situaciones de exposición y el estado de salud del individuo. Se investigaron los riesgos para la salud de las prácticas de embalsamamiento entre una fracción de los embalsamadores autorizados: auditar la seguridad y la comodidad en el embalsamamiento, la demostración de los riesgos de salud ocupacional respiratoria y el análisis de las medidas de precaución básicas en el embalsamamiento. Estudio realizado en mortuorios y laboratorios anatómicos de hospitales. Un formulario diseñado para la recopilación de datos se clasificó en 4 secciones: sociodemográficas; diseño mortuorio; evaluación previa al empleo; y función respiratoria. Los laboratorios de anatomía / mortuorios en Ekiti, Nigeria, fueron programados por un equipo de investigadores que administraban proforma en cada centro e individuos involucrados. Los controles se obtuvieron de otros trabajadores fuera de los departamentos de embalsamamiento / anatomía de la misma institución. Datos recopilados y analizados con significación estadística como p <0,05. Sesenta y ocho trabajadores participaron con 34 cada uno por caso y control. El grupo de edad más alto de los embalsamadores (18-44 años) constituía 17 (50.0%). Religión: Cristianismo 31 (91,2%) e Islam 3 (8,8%). Educación: primaria 6 (17,6%); secundaria 14 (41,2%) y terciaria 14 (41,2%). Las tasas respiratorias, los volúmenes espiratorios forzados dentro de 1 segundo y los volúmenes voluntarios máximos fueron estadísticamente significativos, mientras que se observaron diferencias relativas en los volúmenes corrientes. La prueba de concordancia (p> 0.05) mostró interdependencia entre los parámetros que evalúan la función respiratoria. El embalsamamiento fue terrible en la respiración de los embalsamadores al alterar los volúmenes pulmonares. Aproximadamente el 6% de los embalsamadores desarrollaron una lesión respiratoria obstructiva equivalente a un desastre. Los centros de embalsamamiento en esta localidad, tal vez, Nigeria en general, recibieron una calificación baja debido a la miríada de exposición injustificada a los fluidos de embalsamamiento. Se recomendaron laboratorios mortuorios / anatómicos estándar y bien equipados para reducir al mínimo lo más mínimo posible: los terribles efectos de los productos químicos de embalsamamiento, por lo general, formaldehído.La exposición a sustancias tóxicas, incluídos los productos químicos de embalsamamiento, se estableció como un peligro para la salud dependiendo de las propiedades específicas de los contaminantes, las situaciones de exposición y el estado de salud del individuo. En términos generales, este estudio fue diseñado para realizar una auditoría integral de la seguridad y la comodidad del centro de embalsamamiento, para demostrar riesgos de salud ocupacional respiratoria entre los embalsamadores e investigar la implementación de medidas de precaución básicas en los centros de embalsamamiento. Estudio realizado en mortuorios y laboratorios anatómicos de hospitales. El estudio se llevó a cabo en 34 embalsamadores en el estado de Ekiti, suroeste de Nigeria, y 34 controles del mismo sexo y relativamente el mismo grupo de edad en la misma institución después del consentimiento oral. Un formulario diseñado para la recopilación de datos se clasificó en 4 secciones: socio-demográficas, diseño mortuorio, evaluación previa al empleo, y function respiratoria con espirómetro. Los datos recopilados y analizados fueron significativos estadísticamente con p <0,05. El grupo de edad más alto de los embalsamadores (18-44 años) constituía 17 (50.0%). Religión: Cristianismo 31 (91,2%) e Islam 3 (8,8%). Educación: primaria 6 (17,6%), secundaria 14 (41,2%) y terciaria 14 (41,2%). Las tasas respiratorias, los volúmenes espiratorios forzados dentro de 1 segundo y los volúmenes voluntaries máximos fueron estadísticamente diferentes entre los embalsamadores, mientras que se observaron diferencias relativas en los volúmenes corrientes. La prueba de concordancia (p> 0.05) mostró interdependencia entre los parámetros que evalúan la function respiratoria. El embalsamamiento fue terrible para la respiración de los embalsamadores al alterar los volúmenes pulmonares. Aproximadamente el 6% de los embalsamadores desarrollaron una lesion respiratoria obstructive equivalente a un desastre. Los centros de embalsamamiento en esta localidad, y tal vez en general en Nigeria, recibieron una calificación baja debido a la miríada de exposición injustificada a los fluidos de embalsamamiento. Se recomendaron laboratorios de anatomía / mortuorios estándar y bien equipados para reducir al mínimo: los efectos terribles de los productos químicos de embalsamamiento, por lo general, formaldehído

The role of hospital-based cancer registries in low and middle income countries-The Nigerian Case Study.

BACKGROUND: The incidence of cancer continues to rise all over the world and current projections show that there will be 1.27 million new cases and almost 1 million deaths by 2030. In view of the rising incidence of cancer in sub-Saharan Africa, urgent steps are needed to guide appropriate policy, health sector investment and resource allocation. We posit that hospital based cancer registries (HBCR) are fundamental sources of information on the frequent cancer sites in limited resource regions where population level data is often unavailable. In regions where population based cancer registries are not in existence, HBCR are beneficial for policy and planning. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Nineteen of twenty-one cancer registries in Nigeria met the definition of HBCR, and from these registries, we requested data on cancer cases recorded from January 2009 to December 2010. 16 of the 19 registries (84%) responded. Data on year hospital was established; year cancer registry was established, no. of pathologists and types of oncology services available in each tertiary health facility were shown. Analysis of relative frequency of cancers in each HBCR, the basis of diagnosis recorded in the HBCR and the total number of cases recorded by gender was carried out. RESULTS: The total number of cancers registered in these 11 hospital based cancer registries in 2009 and 2010 was 6484. The number of new cancer cases recorded annually in these hospital based cancer registries on average was 117 cases in males and I77 cases in females. Breast and cervical cancer were the most common cancers seen in women while prostate cancer was the commonest among men seen in these tertiary hospitals. CONCLUSION: Information provided by HBCR is beneficial and can be utilized for the improvement of cancer care delivery systems in low and middle income countries where there are no population based cancer registries