| dc.description.abstract | Background; Most soft-tissue tumors are benign, outnumbering malignant tumors approximately 150:1 with roughly 20 malignant soft-tissue tumors per 1 million people in the United States (Krumme & Kotwal, 2010). This also corresponds with the research done at Pelagia Library in Europe, where it was found out that benign tumors are more common than malignant counterparts (sarcomas) with a ratio of at least 100: 1(Ivan et al., 2015). Benign soft tissue tumors are encountered more in female than male, while malignant tumors are more among male population than females. Peak age incidence of benign and malignant soft tissue tumors is observed in 30 and 31-40 respectively. Benign soft tissue tumors show predilection for head and neck region whereas malignant show for lower extremities. (Ivan et al., 2015)
Aim and Objective: To determine the prevalence of soft tissue tumors and their association with social demographic factors.
Methodology: This was retrospective cross-sectional laboratory - based study conducted at Pathology department- Makerere University College of Health Sciences from January 2010 to December 2018. A total of 72 cases of fine-needle aspirations of the soft tissue were retrieved from the archives. Final diagnosis together with the required social demographic factors were recorded and SPSS was used for analysis of the results.
Results: Of the 72 patients, 45(62.5%) were females and 27 (37.5%) were males. The majority of the patients were in the age bracket of 20-29, 30-39 and 40-49. Benign cases were most detected (46/72), followed by malignant (26/72). Commonest benign lesions were, fibrolipoma and lipoma while malignant ones were undefined sarcoma and rhabdomyosarcoma. Most sampled anatomical site was the breast followed by the neck, gluteal region and thigh. Close association was found between soft tissue tumors with gender with a P value of 0.05.
Conclusion: Among the few patients who presented to the clinic for diagnoses the prevalence of malignancy was relatively higher especially among the male population than females. Both benign and malignant cases were detected among all the age groups.
Recommendation: More research needs to be done as I believe this study is a fundamental step in improving research in the field of soft tissue cytology. | |
