Clinico-epidemiological, therapeutic and prognostic aspects of cavum cancer in Mostaganem

Introduction: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is common in Algeria. Its worldwide incidence is geographically dependent, diagnosis is often delayed, and prognosis remains guarded despite high radiosensitivity. Methods: This retrospective study was conducted from January 2021 to August 2024 in the medical oncology department of Mostaganem University Hospital and included 49 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Results: The mean age was 50.2 years, with 83.7% males (n=41) and 73.5% (n=36) non-smokers. The median time to diagnosis was 4 months (range: 1-20 months). Cervical lymphadenopathy was palpated in all patients, while the oto-rhino-neurological triad was present in 10.2% of cases (n=5). Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma was diagnosed in 93.9% of cases (n=46). T4 tumors were found in 24.5% (n=12) and M1 disease in 8.2% (n=4). Chemotherapy was administered to 47 patients, with neoadjuvant chemotherapy in 89.4% (n=42). The PTX protocol (cisplatin, docetaxel, capecitabine) was used in the majority of cases (n=40), with a mean of 3.4 cycles (range: 1-9 cycles). The complete response rate to neoadjuvant chemotherapy was 16.7% (n=7). Radiotherapy was performed in 42 patients, with a mean delivered dose of 62.46 Gy (range: 30-70 Gy). Five patients died during the study period, yielding a three-year overall survival rate of 89.6%. Conclusion: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a relatively common tumor in Algeria, often diagnosed at an advanced stage. It is chemosensitive and radiosensitive, with radiotherapy as the primary treatment. Survival analysis showed a trend toward better outcomes in male patients under 60 years of age with minimal lymph node involvement (N1); however, these associations did not reach statistical significance. Further studies are needed to establish a comprehensive profile of nasopharyngeal carcinoma in Algeria.