Pattern of paediatric malignancies seen at the Radiotherapy Department of the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Nigeria.

BACKGROUND

Paediatric tumours are seen by the radiotherapist following referral from other specialists. Patients seen by the radiotherapists may not conform to the full spectrum seen in the hospital.

OBJECTIVE

To review the pattern of presentation of paediatric malignancies seen at the radiotherapy department of the UCH, Ibadan.

METHODS

Retrospective study of all patients below the age of 12 seen in Radiotherapy Department of UCH, Ibadan over a 19-year period was undertaken. Data were collected from the case files and the radiotherapy treatment cards.

RESULTS

244 cases were evaluated with age ranged between 4 months and 12 years. Male to female ratio was 1.15 to 1.0. 23 tumour types were seen with retinoblastoma accounting for about 45% of all the patients reviewed. Burkitt's lymphoma accounted for only about 2.5%.

CONCLUSION

Retinoblastoma, nephroblastoma, intracranial malignancies and rhabdomyosarcoma are the tumours most commonly seen at the Radiotherapy Department of the UCH, Ibadan.