Pattern of distribution of odontogenic tumours in sub-Saharan Africa

Abstract

Objective: To analyse documented reports on odontogenic tumours (OTs) in sub-Saharan Black Africa and to create awareness of the need for more reports on this topic. Methods: There were 2,186 African cases of OTs presented at the International Association of Oral and Maxillofacial Pathologists (IAOP) Congress (Cape Town, South Africa) in 1998 that were added to 2,198 cases derived from reports published in the scientific literature from 1998 to date. The analysis undertaken included frequency distribution of available data on OTs that was listed in the 2005 World Health Organization (WHO) classification. The chi-square test was applied as appropriate. Results: A total of 4,384 cases of OTs from only 14 of 47 sub-Saharan Black African countries were analysed. Ameloblastoma was the OT most commonly reported, accounting for 74.2% of OTs (and 86.9% of category A OTs), followed by keratocystic odontogenic tumour (KCOT) (6.9%) and odontogenic myxoma (ODM) (4.9%). Malignant OTs were reported at a low frequency, of 1.4%. Nigeria contributed 38.7% of the cases of OT in this series. Conclusions: Ameloblastoma is the commonest OT in sub-Saharan Africa and has a higher occurrence in male than in female subjects. With data on OTs not available from 33 of 47 sub-Saharan African countries, additional reports are needed.