Epidemiological study on nasopharyngeal cancer in Morocco: Case of the University Hospital Center Mohammed VI in Marrakech.

Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Globally, nasopharyngeal cancer has a varied geographic distribution, occurring more frequently in certain areas and less often in others (1). AIM: This article presents the epidemiological situation of this cancer in the Marrakech-Safi region, Morocco. METHODS: Our retrospective study analyzed the epidemiological profile of nasopharyngeal cancer in the Marrakech-Safi region (Morocco) based on 226 cases evaluated at the University Hospital Center MOHAMMED VI of Marrakech from 2014 to 2018. We used descriptive and analytical statistics to create this profile. Results: The cases studied were 61.9% male (140 cases), and 38.1% female (86 cases), with a mean age of 47.95 ± 16.54 years and a sex ratio of 1.62 (p <0.001). The majority, 76.5%, were married, 16.4% single, 5.8% widowed and 1.3% divorced. The Medical Assistance Plan (RAMED) was the most widespread medical coverage (86.73%). The provinces most affected were Marrakech (42.92%), Safi (10.62%) and El Kelaa (9.73%). These cases were without profession (55.31%), housewives (13.72%), farmers (7.08%), and workers (3.98%). This may be due to the multifactorial etiology of the disease, including occupational exposure to chemical carcinogens. CONCLUSIONS: The study reveals the incidence of nasopharyngeal cancer and identifies the age group most affected in the region studied, highlighting a link with formaldehyde. Further studies are recommended to determine the probable risk factors for this cancer.