A 19-year audit of benign jaw tumours and tumour-like lesions in a teaching hospital in Nairobi, Kenya

Abstract

Background: The diversity of benign jaw tumours may cause difficulty in a correct diagnosis and institution of an appropriate treatment. Data on the prevalence of these tumours is scarce from the African continent. We present a 19-year audit of benign jaw tumours and tumour-like lesions at a University teaching hospital in Nairobi, Kenya. Methods: Histopathological records were retrieved and re-examined from the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial pathology, University of Nairobi from 1992 to 2011. The jaw tumours were classified according to the latest WHO classification. Results: During the 19-year audit, 4257 biopsies were processed of which 597 (14.02%) were jaw tumours within an age range of between 4 to 86 years. There was greater number of odontogenic tumours 417 (69.85%) than the bone related lesions 180 (30.15%). Of the odontogenic tumours, the epithetlial and in the bone related types, the fibro-osseous lesions were frequent. Conclusion: Ameloblastoma and ossifying fibroma were the most frequent tumours reported in this audit. The information regarding the prevalence of these tumours is scarce from the continent and can be useful in early detection and management before they cause facial deformity.