Oro-facial tumours and tumour-like lesions in Greek children and adolescents: an 11-year retrospective study.

OBJECTIVE: To determine the epidemiology, histological diagnosis and treatment outcome of oro-facial tumours and tumour-like lesions in Greek children and adolescents. MATERIAL AND METHODS: The medical records of patients with oro-facial lesions who presented at the Department of Oral and Maxillofacial Surgery at "A. & P. Kyriakou" Children's Hospital from 2000 to 2010 were reviewed. Data was analyzed in relation to age, gender, location, histology, treatment choice and outcome. RESULTS: Two hundred and eleven oro-facial lesions were identified. Age ranged from 14 days to 15 years (mean 8 years); the male-to-female ratio was 1.09: 1; 90.05% of the lesions were benign and 9.95% malignant. Vascular anomalies were the most common benign lesion (22.1%) and rhabdomyosarcoma was the most prevalent malignancy (28.57%). One hundred and ten lesions (52.1%) involved soft tissue, most commonly the tongue and 96 cases (45.5%), involved hard tissue, most frequently the mandible; 5 lesions (2.4%) involved both hard and soft tissue. Surgery was performed under general anaesthesia in 198 cases (93.84%). Some malignant lesions were treated with chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Oro-facial tumours and tumour-like lesions are not uncommon in the Greek paediatric population; although most frequently benign, these may cause considerable morbidity. As such early diagnosis and treatment are imperative.