Epidemiological, Clinicopathological and Prognosis Features of Moroccan Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Gihbid, Amina; Tawfiq, Nezha; Benchakroun, Nadia; Bouchbika, Zineb; Sahraoui, Souha; Bendahhou, Karima; Benider, Abdelatif; Ibnohoud, Jaafar; Guensi, Amal; El Mzibri, Mohammed; Cadi, Rachida; Khyatti, Meriem

doi:10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1477

Epidemiological, Clinicopathological and Prognosis Features of Moroccan Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Laboratory of Viral Oncology, Institut Pasteur du Maroc, Casablanca, Morocco.

² Laboratory of Pathophysiology, Molecular Genetics and Biotechnology, Faculty of Sciences Ain Chock, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco.

³ Mohammed VI Center for Cancer Treatment, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Casablanca, Morocco.

⁴ Nuclear Medicine Department, Ibn Rochd University Hospital, Hassan II University, Casablanca, Morocco.

⁵ Biology and Medical Research Unit, National Center of Energy, Sciences and Nuclear Techniques, Rabat, Morocco.

10.31557/APJCP.2023.24.5.1477

Abstract

Proposal: A distinct epidemiology, etiology, clinical characteristics, and therapeutic outcomes characterize nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) from other head and neck cancers. An actualized analysis of NPC patients’ features enables a global view of NPC management. Accordingly, the current study investigated the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of Moroccan patients with NPC, as well as their 4-years survival outcomes and influencing prognostic factors. Methods: We prospectively analyzed data of 142 histologically confirmed Moroccan patients with NPC between October 2016 and February 2019. Kaplan-Meier and Cox regression analyses were used to assess predictive prognostic factors related to NPC. All analyses were conducted using SPSS version 21 statistical software. Results: In the present study, a net male predominance was found, with a mean age of 44±16.3 years old. Advanced stages of NPC were observed in 64.1% of patients, and 32.4% of patients presented with distant metastasis at diagnosis. The 4-years overall survival, locoregional relapse-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival and progression-free survival were 68.0%, 63.0%, 53.9%, and 39.9%, respectively. Age, N category and distant metastasis were identified as the most important independent prognosis factors for NPC in this cohort (p<0.05). Conclusion: In conclusion, NPC affects young adults and is frequently diagnosed at advanced disease stages, impacting therefore negatively patients survival; which is in line with data from endemic areas for NPC. The current study clearly highlights that a greater attention should be directed to improving the management of this aggressive malignancy.

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