Demographic study of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a hospital setting.

OBJECTIVES

To highlight demographic pattern of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and determine mode and stage of presentation.

DESIGN

Prospective analytical study.

SETTING

Kenyatta National Hospital (KNH)/University of Nairobi, Kenya.

SUBJECTS

One hundred and twenty five patients seen at the ENT department of KNH. These were either referred from other peripheral hospitals or first seen at KNH and satisfied the inclusion criteria. Patients with open neck biopsy were excluded (among other criteria).

RESULTS

Age range of the patients was 13-85 years. Male: Female ratio was 2.2:1 with the highest frequency in the 31-40 years. Most patients presented in late disease (stages III and IV) which carry a poor prognosis. Majority of the patients had neck swelling as the first symptom followed by nose blockage. Several patients referred from peripheral major hospitals and open neck biopsy. Majority of the patients seen were from poor social-economic background.

CONCLUSION

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a common malignancy at KNH. Diagnosis is usually made in late stages of the disease when prognosis after full treatment is poor. There is need to make early diagnosis by heightening the index of suspicion among health professionals and probably health education in the community on the need to seek treatment for persistent neck masses.