Background: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a complication of liver cirrhosis caused by hepatitis B viral infection, fungal infection and genetic factors. This disease though having a silent course is associated with variable morbidity and mortality in this environment. Methods: Previously prepared histologic slides were retrieved and re-evaluated to confirm the diagnosis. Clinical data such as the age, sex, clinical presentations, histologic grading and cause of death were extracted from the case notes, histology request forms and autopsy protocol forms. Results: Seventy five cases were used for the study during the period under review. The youngest was a 14 year old male while the oldest was a 66 years old male. Male to female ratio was 2:1. Majority (28%) occurred in the age group 40-49 years. Upper abdominal mass was the most common clinical presentation (30.7%) and well differentiated hepatocellular carcinoma was the most common (64.0%) histologic grade. Trabecular / sinusoidal pattern (49.3%) was the most common histologic type (pattern) while upper gastro-intestinal bleeding (38.7%) was the most common cause of death at autopsy. Conclusion: Hepatocellular carcinoma is a notable malignancy of the liver associated with variable morbidities and mortality as it has an insidious onset and very aggressive course.Key words: Hepatocellular carcinoma, trabecular pattern, cirrhosis, hepatitis B Virus Résumé Introduction: Carcinome Hépatocellulaire est une complication de la cirrhose causée par l'infection d'Hépatite B virale, mycose, et des facteurs génétiques. Cette maladie quioque sa cause est taciturne est liée avec un variable ayant rapport à la morbidité et la mortalité dans ce milieu. Méthode: Des plaques histologique préparées auparavant ont été récuperées et évaluées de nouveau afin de confirmer des données cliniques diagnostiques telles que l'âge, sexe, présentation cliniques, classement histologique et la cause de la mort ont été tirés du dossier médical, formulaire du demande histologique, et des formulaires des protocole d'autopsie. Résultats: Soixante quinze cas ont été utilisés pour l'étude au cours de la période de cette étude. Le plus jeune est du sexe masculin âgé de 14 ans tandis que le plus âgé est hun homme âgé de 66 ans. Propotrtion sexe masculin et sexe féminin était 2 :1. La majorité 28% arrive chez la tranche d'âge de 40-49 ans. Masse abdominale supérieure était la présentation clinique la plus ordinaire (30,7%) et le carcinome hépatocellulaire bien déterminé était le plus ordinaire (64,0%) classement histologique. La tendance trabeculaire/sinusoidale (49,3%) était le type (tendance) histologique le plus ordinaire tandis que saigant gastro-intestinal supérieur (38,7%) était la cause de la mort la plus ordinaire pendant l'autopsie. Conclusion: Carcinome Hépatocellulaire est une malignité remarquable du la foie liée avec des variables de la morbidité et de la mortalité parcequ'il a un debut insidieux et une évolution très aggressive.

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Paper accepted for publication 7th March 2005 Background: Soft tissue sarcomas are rare tumours in this environment. Recently, an INTRODUCTION upsurge in frequency was noticed that called for Soft tissues develop embryologically from attention. The aim of this study is to study soft two primitive sources (the mesoderm and the tissue sarcomas based on age, sex of patients, neuroectoderm of the peripheral nervous 1 tumour sites and histologic types. system) . They are complex malignancies of Methodology: A 14 year retrospective study in non-epithelial and extra-skeletal tissues of the University of Port Harcourt Teaching Hospital body, excluding the supportive tissues of (UPTH) Port Harcourt. Histological slides various organs, hematopoietic, lymphoid and 2 previously processed and stained with glial tissue . They are therefore represented by hematoxylin and eosin stains (H & E) were malignancies of the adipose, fibrous, muscular, reviewed and re-evaluated. Special stains were vascular, peripheral nerve sheath and those of also used for proper diagnosis of some uncertain histiogenesis corresponding with the tumours. The tumours were classified based on World Health organization (WHO) classification 3 World Health Organization (WHO) of soft tissue tumours . The aetiology is classification of soft tissue tumours.unknown but tends to be associated with Results: Only 66 soft tissue sarcomas were urbanization with overcrowding, fumes and used for this study which accounted for 2.8% of emission from motor vehicles and industrial the total malignancies diagnosed during the machines. Others are industrial waste period under review. The youngest was a 3 year containing large quantities of polycyclic old girl while the eldest was a 76 year old aromatic hydrocarbons, agricultural and female. A total of 38 and 28 tumours were agroallied chemicals, extravasated thorotrasts, diagnosed in males and females respectively, irradiation, chemical and heat burns as well as giving a sex ratio of 1.4:1. Rhabdomyosarcoma trauma in addition to oncogenic viruses, genetic 2,4 was most frequent (39.4%) while the least was predisposition and immunosuppression . leiomyosarcoma (1.5%). These tumours are Soft tissue sarcomas are distributed into the more frequent in the under 20 years (22.7%) deep soft tissues of the extremities, trunk, 5