RARE HEAD AND NECK MALIGNANT

Yousif Albeer Polous Gogue

ABSTRACT

Background: This paper is aimed to present rare head and neck malignant and benign lesions affection pediatric patients in Basrah province in the period from 2003-2008.

Objective: Among the aims of this paper is to present some common faults in managing head and neck tumors, reasons of losing patients data following the surgery, the technical deficits which render our work not that perfect.

Methods: This presentation includes 4 patients affected by rare and uncommon malignant tumors and 2 other patients with benign tumors. All of these patients were treated in Basrah general hospital and were followed up for different periods of time. Three boys and three girls are included in this series, the youngest of whom is 6 months old and the oldest is 10 years old.

Results: Three of the four patients with malignant tumors were referred to the oncology center in Al-Sader teaching hospital for chemotherapy after completion of the surgery, while the fourth patient who was affected by osteoid osteogenic sarcoma of the maxilla had no form of treatment because his parent refused to undergo surgery. The two patients with benign tumors were both missed the recall visits shortly after the surgery.

Conclusion:

In conclusion

1.      Head and neck lesions MUST be managed on team work bases.

2.      Great care should be given to thorough investigations and inquires when examining this age group because it is very easy to miss malignant tumors especially in teeth-eruption period

Recommendations

1.                  Technical supports and facilities are one of the reasons for imperfect work

2.                  Comprehensive media campaign should be undertaken in order to expose the nature of these lesions to the public

*Department: Oral and maxillofacial surgery

Qualification: Iraqi board in oral and maxillofacial surgery

Specialty: Oral and maxillofacial surgeon

Address: UAE-ABU DHABI / AL-AIN CITY