Oro-facial tumours in Ethiopian patients. Clinical analysis of 108 cases and a review of the literature.

Maxillofacial surgery is a new medical discipline in Ethiopia. Between May 1991 and December 1992, 108 patients with maxillofacial tumours were treated in our Department. These cases are analysed according to their age, sex, anatomical site, histopathological classification of benign and malignant tumours. More males (5.5:1) had malignant tumours than females. The age distribution of malignant tumours showed that most patients were under the age of 51. Histological classification of benign tumours revealed that fibromas and haemangiomas are common (7 cases each) and lymphoma, osteoma and Warthin's tumour are rare (1 case each). Almost all patients with giant cell tumour-like changes were female (11 out of 13). Two patients with Kaposi's sarcoma and 3 patients with non-specific lymphadenopathy of the neck and retroauricular lymph nodes have been proved to be HIV/AIDS infected.