Oro-facial tumours and tumour-like lesions in Greek children and adolescents: An 11-year retrospective study

• Published in: Journal of cranio-maxillo-facial surgery 2013-07, Vol.41 (5), p.437-443
• Main Authors: Iatrou, I, Theologie-Lygidakis, N, Tzerbos, F, Schoinohoriti, O.K
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adolescent; Adolescents; Child; Child, Preschool; Children; Dentistry; Facial Neoplasms - epidemiology; Female; Follow-Up Studies; Greece - epidemiology; Humans; Infant; Infant, Newborn; Lymphatic Vessel Tumors - epidemiology; Male; Mandibular Neoplasms - epidemiology; Mouth Neoplasms - epidemiology; Neoadjuvant Therapy - statistics & numerical data; Neoplasms, Vascular Tissue - epidemiology; Odontogenic Tumors - epidemiology; Oral Surgical Procedures - statistics & numerical data; Oro-facial tumours; Retrospective Studies; Rhabdomyosarcoma - epidemiology; Soft Tissue Neoplasms - epidemiology; Surgery; Tongue Neoplasms - epidemiology; Treatment; Treatment Outcome; Tumour-like lesions
• ISSN: 1010-5182; 1878-4119
• DOI: 10.1016/j.jcms.2012.11.010

Abstract Objective To determine the epidemiology, histological diagnosis and treatment outcome of oro-facial tumours and tumour-like lesions in Greek children and adolescents. Material and methods The medical records of patients with oro-facial lesions who presented at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at “A. & P. Kyriakou” Children's Hospital from 2000 to 2010 were reviewed. Data was analyzed in relation to age, gender, location, histology, treatment choice and outcome. Results Two hundred and eleven oro-facial lesions were identified. Age ranged from 14 days to 15 years (mean 8 years); the male-to-female ratio was 1.09: 1; 90.05% of the lesions were benign and 9.95% malignant. Vascular anomalies were the most common benign lesion (22.1%) and rhabdomyosarcoma was the most prevalent malignancy (28.57%). One hundred and ten lesions (52.1%) involved soft tissue, most commonly the tongue and 96 cases (45.5%), involved hard tissue, most frequently the mandible; 5 lesions (2.4%) involved both hard and soft tissue. Surgery was performed under general anaesthesia in 198 cases (93.84%). Some malignant lesions were treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. Conclusions Oro-facial tumours and tumour-like lesions are not uncommon in the Greek paediatric population; although most frequently benign, these may cause considerable morbidity. As such early diagnosis and treatment are imperative.