Eye Cancers at the Guinness Eye Center Onitsha, Nigeria

Abstract

Objectives: To describe the hospital incidence and pattern of ocular and adnexal cancers at the Guinness Eye Center, Onitsha. Materials and Methods: The case files of all new patients seen with ocular and adnexal tumors at the Guinness Eye Center, Onitsha, between 2005 and 2017 were reviewed. Those with histological diagnosis of malignancy were selected and analyzed. Information obtained included age, sex, disease duration, diagnosis and co-morbidity. Results: There were 85 patients (0.1% of all the new patients), made up of 42 males and 43 females. The median age was 5 years; range: 5 months–70 years. The commonest cancers were retinoblastoma, 45 patients (52.9%) and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma, 30 (35.3%). Twenty eight (93.3%) squamous cell carcinoma patients were HIV-positive. No child had squamous cell carcinoma. All retinoblastoma patients were aged ≤6 years. Conclusions: The incidence of ocular and adnexal cancers at the Guinness Eye Center, Onitsha, was low with retinoblastoma and conjunctival squamous cell carcinoma accounting for most of the cancers. While retinoblastoma would most likely be suspected in a child with ocular tumor, young adults with squamous cell carcinoma should be evaluated for HIV infection. Since these lesions threaten sight and life, the public should be educated on the early signs of the diseases and the need to report to hospital early.