Abstract
Malignant neoplasms are set to become a leading cause of childhood death in sub-Saharan Africa as immunization programmes reduce deaths due to infectious diseases. Knowledge of the pattern of deaths from these neoplasms is therefore desirable. To describe the pattern of deaths from paediatric malignancies, compare this to morbidity figures and provide baseline data for planning child care services. A 10 year retrospective survey of autopsy cases of paediatric malignancies at the Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital Mortuary was carried out based on autopsy files form January 1, 1990 to December 31, 1999 RESULTS: A total of 252 cases of childhood malignant tumours were retrieved, 139 males and 113 females with a male to female ratio of 1.2:1. The most common malignancy was lymphoma forming 54% of cases and almost all of Non-Hodgkin's type. Non-Burkitts type (29%) was the commonest followed by Burkitts (24%) and Hodgkin's disease only one percent. The lymphomas were followed by central nervous system (CNS) tumours (13%), nephroblastomas(10.3%) leukemias (6.7%) hepatic tumours (4%) and sarcomas (2.6%). Less common tumours were Neuroblastomas (2.4%) and retinoblastomas (2%). Overall the pattern of deaths from paediatric malignancies followed the pattern of relative incidence in morbidity figures from Ghana and the subregion except for a relatively higher proportion of deaths from CNS tumours and a lower proportion from sarcomas. The pattern of cancer deaths seen in this study is similar to that seen in advanced countries except that lymphomas replace leukemia as the commonest cause of death.
Highlights
The lymphomas were followed by central nervous system (CNS) tumours (13%), nephroblastomas(10.3%) leukemias (6.7%) hepatic tumours (4%) and sarcomas (2.6%)
Overall the pattern of deaths from paediatric malignancies followed the pattern of relative incidence in morbidity figures from Ghana and the subregion except for a relatively higher proportion of deaths from CNS tumours and a lower proportion from sarcomas
Malignancies have been considered an uncommon cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa forming 1.25% of clinical cause of childhood death and 0.5% of autopsy cases seen at the Korle-Bu Hospital[1,2]
Summary
Malignancies have been considered an uncommon cause of death in sub-Saharan Africa forming 1.25% of clinical cause of childhood death and 0.5% of autopsy cases seen at the Korle-Bu Hospital[1,2]. It is expected that as countries in the sub region approach middle income status, malignancies will become a leading cause of death as has occurred in some countries[4]. This survey of autopsy cases aims to highlight the pattern of deaths due to paediatric malignancies and to show any differences that exist when compared to reported morbidity figures so that different approaches could be taken to improve detection and diagnosis of paediatric malignancies
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