Leukaemia in Nigerians

Abstract

Eighty-nine cases of acute leukaemias in Nigerians have been seen and treated in University College Hospital, Ibadan, between 1958 and 1968 inclusive. Classification was based on morphological and, where applicable, histochemical criteria. Analysis shows the following distribution: thirty-four myeloblasts, twenty-seven lymphoblastic, sixteen monoblastic, three megakaryocyte, two cases of erythroleukaemia, two stem cell type and six unclassified cases. Very few cases were seen under 5 years of age. Average survivals (in months) were: lymphoblastic3, myeloblasts2, monoblastic 2. This was due partly to inadequate medical facilities, patients' late presentation in hospital, their inability to persevere with treatment, and associated parasitic infestations including polyparasitism. The latter may elude detection and should be vigorously looked for