Nasopharyngeal cancer in North--Eastern Nigeria: clinical trends.

BACKGROUND: Nasopharyngeal cancer is the malignancy of the posterior aspect of the nose called Nasopharynx. It is one of the most difficult diseases to diagnose at an early stage. AIM: To determine prevalence, clinical trends and histopathological types of Nasopharyngeal cancer in Maiduguri, North Eastern Nigeria. PATIENTS AND METHOD: Fifteen year retrospective evaluation of patient's case notes and cancer registry records of 40 patients with histologically confirmed nasopharyngeal cancer between 1991-2005. RESULTS: Nasopharyngeal cancers constituted 35.1% of all malignancies of ear, nose, throat during the study period. The M:F was 2.1-1, the mean age was 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. CONCLUSION: Cancer is a difficult disease to diagnose at an stage. A meticulous 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.