Incidence of Malignant Neck Masses (MNMs) in Fallujah  District , Iraq; Descriptive Cross Sectional Study 2017-2018

Authors

Mohammed Tafash Dagash1 , Haitham Tafash Dagash2 , Arkan Obaid Jasim Al-Essawi3, Labeed Saadallah Abdulkareem4 , Mothana Ali Khalil5

Malignant Neck Mass, Incidence, Fallujah , Iraq.

Background: Cancer is one of a major health problem all over the world ,the main factor obstacle facing

cancer prevention in our country is a deficiency of epidemiological studies to guide local or international

efforts for disease control .

Objective: To determine the incidence & risk factors of malignant neck mass in Fallujah District , Anbar

province , Iraq .

Methods: Proper history include the age , gender , occupation , residence and physical examination include

inspection , palpation, auscultation , imaging as ultrasound , chest X-ray , CT scan , Pet scan and in some

case Thyroid scan , then Close diagnostic interventions as FNAC, Core –Cut biopsy or Open diagnostic

intervention like Incisional ,excisional biopsy were taken from patients with neck mass admitted to surgical

unit of Fallujah Teaching Hospital(FTH).

Results: Of 207 neck mass cases admitted to surgical unit of FTH , 123 cases ( 59.42%) was malignant neck

masses including 53 (43.08% ) and 70 ( 56.91%) recorded in 2017and 2018 respectively. The incidence of

malignant neck masses in FTH were 8.26 and 10.91 in 2017& 2018 per 100,000 person per year respectively.

Lymphoma considered as a most common MNMs 46 ( 37.39%) followed by Thyroid cancer 45 ( 36.58%) ,

Carcinoma of unknown origin 20 ( 16.26%) and other type of MNMs 12 ( 9.75%).

Conclusion: The incidence of MNMs in Fallujah Teaching Hospital were 8.26 and 10.91 in 2017& 2018 per

100,000 respectively and lymphoma were the most common MNMs.