Nasopharyngeal cancer in north-eastern Nigeria: clinical trends

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal cancer is the malignancy of the posterior aspect of the nose called Nasopharynx. It is one of themost difficult diseases to diagnose at an early stage. To determine prevalence, clinical trends and histopathological types of Nasopharyngeal cancer in Maiduguri, North Eastern Nigeria. Fifteen year retrospective evaluation of patient’s case notes and cancer registry records of 40 patientswith histologically confirmed nasopharyngeal cancer between 1991-2005. Nasopharyngeal cancers constituted 35.1% of all malignancies of ear, nose, throat during the study period.TheM:Fwas 2.1-1, themean agewas 39( 16.5) years and a peak age group and its occurrence of 40-49 years. The commonest symptom at presentation were cervical lymphadenopathy (72.5%), rhinorrhoea (55%), epistaxis(45%). The commonest histological type was squamous cell carcinoma(92.5%). Patients who received chemotherapy in addition to radiotherapy and higher symptom free period. Cancer is a difficult disease to diagnose at an stage.Ameticulous ear, nose and throat examination and thorough evaluation of nasal symptoms with associated cervical lymphadenopathy may lead to an early diagnosis of nasopharyngeal cancer’s.

Keywords: Nasopharyngeal cancer, clinical trend, Maiduguri, Nigeria.