Primary bone tumours and tumour-like lesions in children in Zaria, Nigeria

Background: Studies on bone neoplasms are generally scanty globally and more so in children. Primary bone tumours and tumour-like lesions in children have not been reported from Zaria. Objective: To determine the relative frequencies, sex and age distributions, and anatomical sites of occurrence of primary bone tumours and tumour-like lesions in children in Zaria. Materials and Methods: A retrospective review of histopathologyreports of 40 children with bone tumours and tumour-like lesions in 11 years of age. Results: Benign tumours accounted for 12 (30%) of the 40 tumours reviewed (osteoma 2.5%, osterochondroma 22.5%, fibroma 5%); while malignant tumours occurred in 19 (47.5%) (osteosarcoma 5%, Burkitt's lymphoma 37.5%, diffuse lympholastic lymphoma 5%). Tumour-like lesions accounted for 9 (22.5%), all Þ brous dysplasia. Out of 40 tumours, 23 (57.5%) occurred in males and 17 (422.5%) in females. The majority of tumours, 45% occurred in the age group of 1015 years, followed by 15 (37.5) occurring in the 5−9 years age range. The mostcommon malignany was Burkitt's lymphoma 15 (37.5%). Maxilla was the most common site for malignant (30%) and benign tumours (12.5%). Conclusion: This study has shown that, primary bone tumours are relatively uncommon in children in our setting.Key words: Children, primary bone tumours, tumourlike lesion