Pattern of Childhood Malignant Tumour in the Paediatric Surgery Department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University

Abstract

Background: Childhood malignancy is fast becoming an important paediatric problem in Bangladesh. They differ markedly from adult malignancy in their nature and distribution. This is a 5 years retrospective study of childhood malignant tumour as seen at the paediatric surgery department of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujib Medical University (BSMMU).

Objectives: The objective of this study is to determine the types of malignant patients admitted in the paediatric surgery department of BSMMU and also to know their age and sex distribution.

Methods: This is a 5 years retrospective study from January 2005 to December 2009 in the paediatric surgery department of BSMMU, Dhaka, Bangladesh. All admitted malignant patients, aged up to 15 years diagnosed by means of histological or cytological examination included in this study.

Results: Seventy (70) malignant patients were admitted during the study period, 65.7% patients were male and 34.3% patients were female with a male female ratio of 1.9:1. Fifty two (74.3%) patients were below 5 years and eighteen (25.7%) patients were between 5 to 15 years. The Wilms’ tumour was the most common malignant tumour which accounted for 42.8%. Hepatoblastoma was the second most common (24.2%). The other malignant tumours were neuroblastoma (15.7%), Non-Hodgkins lymphoma (5.7%), Rhabdomyosarcoma (4.2%), malignant fibrous histocytoma (1.4%), Fibroscarcoma (1.4%), Osteosarcoma (1.4%), malignant sacrococcygeal teratoma (1.4%), carcinoma of the rectum (1.4%0.

Conclusion: Based on the result of this study, Wilms’ tumour is the commonest paediatric solid malignancy in our country. Carcinoma of the rectum may rarely occur in paediatric age group.

Key words: Frequency; malignant solid tumor; children.

DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.3329/bsmmuj.v4i2.8638

BSMMU J 2011; 4(2):99-101