Primary Malignant Bones Cancers in Cote d’Ivoire: Epidemiological and Histopathological Aspects

Primary bones cancers are rare and ubiquitous malignant tumors. Aim: Our study aimed was to describe the epidemiological and histopathological aspects of primary malignant bone cancers in Ivory Coast. Material and method: This is a retrospective and descriptive study of primary malignant bone cancers diagnosed over the period 1990 to 2013 (24 years). The studied parameters were: epidemiological aspects (frequency, age, sex, topography) and histological aspects. Results: Over the study period, primary malignant bone cancers accounted for 1.93% (n = 228) of cancers. The average age was 27.02 years with extremes of 2 and 85 years. The sex ratio was 1.65. They were in the skull and maxilla in 43.9% (n = 105), lower limbs (23.8%), spine and ribs (19.8%), pelvis (5.3%) and upper limbs (2.3%). The clinic was dominated by pain and alteration of general state. Radiology was variable depending on the histological type. In children, primary malignant bone cancers were found in the maxillary (77.9%) and the lower limb (15.8%). Burkitt’s lymphomas represented 36.4% (n = 66) of the histological types followed by 22.4% osteosarcomas (n = 51). In adults at histology, sarcomas were the most common (10%), followed by cancers of the hematopoietic and lymphatic organs (8.09%). Conclusion: Primary malignant bone cancers are rare in Ivory Coast. They most often affect male children with maxillofacial involvement and predominant lower extremity. Burkitt’s lymphoma and osteosarcoma are the often diagnosed histological types.