Relative distribution of the tumours of ear, nose and throat in the paediatric patients

SummaryObjectiveThe purpose of this study is to observe the type and anatomical distribution of various tumours of the otolaryngological region in the paediatric age group of patients.MethodsA prospective study was carried out over a period of 2 years between May 2001 and April 2003 in a Teaching Hospital and tertiary referral centre in India. Patients 15 years of age or under who presented with a tumour of the otolaryngological region to the department of Otolaryngology were included in this study. Lymphoma of the cervical lymph nodes was not included in this study. Site of origin and histology of the tumours were noted. The minimum follow-up period was 18 months.ResultsForty-three patients of above age group with a neoplasm of the otolaryngological region were managed in our department, the incidence was 0.5%. The ratio of benign to malignant lesion was 7.6:1. Juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma was the commonest tumour (11 cases, 26%) and embryonal rhabdomyosarcoma was the commonest malignant tumour (3 cases, 7%). The commonest site of neoplasm was the nose and paranasal sinuses (13 cases, 30%).ConclusionA tumour in the otolaryngological site in the paediatric population is rare, the incidence being 1 in 200 new cases in the age group of 15 years or under, 12% of the tumours were malignant. Awareness of relative distribution of neoplastic lesions is valuable for early detection and correct management. This study indicates that the distribution of otolaryngological tumours in the Indian subcontinent is different from the western countries, particularly the juvenile nasopharyngeal angiofibroma and laryngeal papilloma.