The Prevalence of Melanocytic Naevi at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital

Abstract

Introduction:
 Melanocytic naevi are benign melanocytic tumours. Some of them may progress to malignant melanoma that has an enormous and ever increasing clinical and economical importance with a high mortality rate. Despite this association, we noticed a dearth of data of benign melanocytic tumoursin Nigeria. This aim of this study is to determine the prevalence, age and sex distribution of benign melanocytic tumours in the University of Benin Teaching Hospital,(UBTH).
 Methodology:
 This was a retrospective study which was carried out over a ten-year period in UBTH between January 2004 and December 2013. All cases of benign melanocytic tumoursdiagnosed histologically during the period under review were collated. Histology slides were retrieved, reviewed and the diagnosis recorded against the corresponding patient’s name on a data spread sheet. The data obtained from this study was analysed using the Statistical Package for Social Sciences, version 16 (SPSS 16, SPSSInc. Chicago, Illinois, United States of America.
 Result: There were 17 cases of melanocytic naevi seen over the study period giving a prevalence of 4.5% of skin tumours. The mean age for the development of melanocytic naeviin this study was 32.71 years (SD = 22.64) and a peak in the 2nd decade. A female preponderance with a bimodal peak age, in the 2nd and 3rd decades was observed.
 Conclusion: There is a low prevalence rate of melanocytic naevi in our own environment, unlike in the Caucasians of Australian nationality. The differential exposure to high level of UV radiationis key to this observation.