A 20 year retrospective histomorphological analysis of juvenile soft tissue tumors

Abstract

Introduction: Soft tissue tumours (STT) are defined traditionally as mesenchymal proliferations that occur in the extra-.skeletal nonepithelial tissues of the body excluding viscera, meninges and lymphoreticular system. These tumours occur in children where they may result in severe debilitating disease. This study was therefore aimed at determining the age, gender and site distribution of soft tissue tumours in the young. Materials and Methods: The records of all pathology consultations during the 20 year period from (1990-2010), from the Department of Morbid Anatomy/Histopathology, University of Benin Teaching Hospital from birth to 20 years, were utilized for this study. The lesions were standardized in accordance with the world health organization (WHO) classification. Permission for this study was obtained from the UBTH ethics committee (protocol number ADM/E22/A/VOL.VII/142). Results: A total of 139 lesions were recorded, 72 males and 67 females with a male/female ratio of 1.1:1. Benign tumours constituted 113(81%) while malignant tumours accounted for 26(19%). This study demonstrated that, nerve sheath tumours and vascular tumours accounted for 25% of STT in children followed by adipocytic tumours 22%, skeletal muscle tumours 17%, fibrohistiocytic tumours 7%, fibroblastic tumours 5%, and perivascular tumours 1% respectively. Majority of these tumours were located in the head and lower extremities with fewer in the upper extremities and trunk. These lesions were predominant in females of the older age group (10-20 years) unlike in their male counterparts. Conclusion: This study has shown that benign soft tissue tumours are more prevalent than the malignant varieties in juveniles.