Orbito-ocular tumors in Nigeria

Abstract

This study describes 191 histologically proven orbito-ocular tumors in Nigerians. More than two thirds of all the tumors occurred in patients under the age of 20 years. The majority of tumors encountered were retinoblastomas and Burkitt's lymphoma of the orbit, which occurred in children. Malignant choroidal melanoma and basal cell carcinoma of the lids are relatively uncommon, but squamous cell carcinoma of the conjunctiva and pseudotumor of the orbit were not uncommon. Similarities in frequencies of tumor types among various African populations are noted, and differences observed between African and Caucasian population groups are discussed.