Lymphoma of the parotid gland among a Nigerian ethnic group

doi:10.15406/moji.2018.06.00223

MOJ

eISSN: 2373-4442

Immunology

Mini Review Special Issue Lymphology & Phlebology

Lymphoma of the parotid gland among a Nigerian ethnic group

Wilson Onuigbo IB

Department of Pathology, Medical Foundation and Clinic, Nigeria

Correspondence: Wilson Onuigbo IB, Department of Pathology, Medical Foundation and Clinic, 8 Nsukka Lane, Enugu 400001, Nigeria

Received: May 16, 2018 | Published: November 16, 2018

Citation: Wilson OIB. Lymphoma of the parotid gland among a Nigerian ethnic group. MOJ Immunol. 2018;6(5):194?195. DOI: 10.15406/moji.2018.06.00223

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Abstract

The lymphoma of the parotid gland is a rarity. Single cases were recently reported from 3 countries. Therefore, 6 cases are presented from Nigeria with special reference from the Igbo ethnic group which is domiciled in the South Eastern Region. The findings are compared with worldwide data. They include the fact that younger patients are being involved among the Igbo.

Keywords: lymphoma, parotid gland, epidemiology, non hodgkin, diseases, health care, treatment

Introduction

The parotid gland is rarely the seat of the lymphoma. Single case reports were recently presented from Korea,¹ Greece² and Italy.³ Therefore, this paper deals with cases found among the Igbo ethnic group,⁴ which is domiciled in the South Eastern part of Nigeria.

Investigation

Researchers based in Birmingham (UK) concluded that the establishment of a histopathology data pool enhances epidemiological analysis.⁵ Now, such a pool was established by the Government of the Eastern Region of Nigeria. Therefore, as the pioneer pathologist, who headed it, the author facilitated the collection of biopsy specimens, provided that they were accompanied by epidemiological data. Moreover, since individual reports were kept personally, analysis was promoted. Accordingly, it is deemed worthwhile to tabulate the findings.

Discussion

Of the single cases of this tumor collected from abroad (1-3), the age ranged from 54 years to 82 years (mean 71 years). This can also be compared with the 5 cases reported from Japan, whose range was from 44 to 74 years with mean of 55.4 years.⁶ Incidentally, 55 years were the mean age in Brazil.⁷ In contrast, the local patients were generally younger being aged from 3 years to 65 years (mean 31 years). With regard to the male/female ratio, while the Nigerian figure stands at 7/2, the Japanese ratio is one male to four females.⁶ Incidentally, the Brazil male/female ratio is 2:1.⁷

As to laterality of affliction, left sided lesions preponderated here. No comparative figure was found elsewhere. The provisional diagnoses included both Hodgkin’s and Burkitt’s diseases. Interestingly, none were of such microscopic appearances. Indeed, even the 3-year-old child did not exhibit the Burkitt type. The usual non-Hodgkin type was the histological subtype encountered.⁸

Some years ago, there was debate in the UK as to whether a central laboratory could be useful for distant doctors.⁹ The present paper shows that, much as the capital city was mostly involved, distant catchment ensued. This is in keeping with my experience.^10,11 In addition, one of the doctors (case 4) was a foreigner, thereby showing the importance of such practitioners in the health care services of developing communities.

In conclusion, the American group, which studied 18 out of 452 patients undergoing parotid surgery, was penchant thus: “Although a relatively uncommon primary lesion, lymphoma must be considered in the differential diagnosis of any mass presenting in the parotid gland”.¹² Be that as it may, the treatment aspect has not been considered in this paper, seeing that the data pertained to only the histologic parameters.