The Incidence of Primary Malignant Bone Tumour at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria, from 2007 to 2022: A Current Update.

Abstract

Background: Bone tumours constitute about 0.5% of documented cancer incidence. A previous study conducted in our hospital showed an incidence of 0.53% for primary malignant bone tumour (PMBT). Some of the predisposing factors to the development of these bone tumours include trauma, irradiation, foreign bodies, and genetic malfunctioning or mutation. They present symptoms, such as bone pain, swelling and tenderness of the affected bone, and weight loss, and in some cases, the first presentation may be a pathological fracture through the bone tumour. The last review of primary malignant bone tumours carried out in our centre was in September 2007; therefore, this study is designed to provide an update on the current pattern of these tumours.

Aims and objectives: The aim and objectives of this study are to provide an update on the current pattern of primary malignant bone tumours. To determine their relative frequencies, age and sex distributions, anatomical sites of occurrence as well as the histological types of the tumours.

Materials and methods: This is a retrospective hospital-based study to re-evaluate the incidence of primary malignant bone tumour at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, Oyo State, Nigeria. The histopathology records of patients with primary malignant bone tumours were reviewed through the Cancer Registry of the University College Hospital, Ibadan from January 2007 to December 2022. The information retrieved from the Cancer Registry records includes the age of the patient, the sex, the histological type of tumour, and the bone involved. The data retrieved were analysed using version 23 of the Statistical Package for the Social Sciences.

Results: The results revealed that data from 170 patients with primary malignant bone tumours were reviewed within the study period. In all, there were 93 males and 77 females with a male-to-female ratio of 1.2:1. However, 145 patients had complete records and were reviewed. Primary malignant bone tumours occurred more in the second and third decades of life, and the most common primary malignant bone tumour was osteosarcoma.

Conclusion: This study concludes that the annual average occurrence of primary malignant bone tumour seems to be on the increase when compared with previous studies with a higher preponderance in the male gender with osteosarcoma being the most common PMBT. The younger age group, especially teenagers and young adults within the second and third decades of life are the most affected.