Histopathological Patterns of Larynx Biopsies in Usmanu Danfodiyo University Teaching Hospital (UDUTH) Sokoto, North- Western Nigeria From 2002-2012

Background: Laryngeal cancer is the most common of the aerodigestive tract affecting both sexes and all age groups with high morbidity and mortality when left untreated.

Objectives: The study is carried out to review the histology of all larynx biopsies sent to Histopathology laboratory in UDUTH. Sokoto.

Methods: A total number of forty three (43) paraffin embedded tissue block were used for the study. The blocks were retrieved from the archive and the patients’ bio data and the histopathological pattern from the biopsies record book. The sections were cut from the tissue blocks using rotary microtome. They were stained with heamatoxylin and eosin staining technique and the photomicrographs, bio data and histopathological pattern were analyzed and the results were presented in tables as percentages.

Results: A total of forty three larynx biopsies were received during the period under review, 17 samples (39.5%) were benign lesions while 26 samples (60.5%) were malignant lesions. The age group with the highest occurrences is 0-9 years which were mostly benign with the malignant having the highest age range of 40-49 years. The male to female ratio 5.5: 1 and Squamous cell carcinoma had the highest frequency of 92.3% while non Hodgkins lymphoma and Hybrid carcinoma had the lowest frequency of 3.8% respectively.

Conclusion: The study showed that there were more benign larynx lesions occurring during the first decade of life while those in older range (40-49 years) were mostly malignant. We recommend awareness for the early detection of these lesions.