Abstract
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the second most common neoplasm of head and neck in Tunisia. The distribution is bimodal with a first period occurrence between 15 and 20 years old and a second peak at around 50 years of age. Undifferentiated carcinoma of nasopharynx type III (UCNT) is the predominant histological type (93.4%). Data of cancer registry of North Tunisia confirmed that it is an intermediate risk area for NPC with overall ASRs of 3.6 and 1.6/100,000 respectively in males and females. This study aimed to present the evolution of incidence rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma over a period of 12 years (1994-2006). Data of cancer registry of North Tunisia (NTCR), covering half of the Tunisian population, were used to determine evolution of NPC incidence, calculated by 5 year periods. The estimated annual percentage change (EAPC) was used as an estimate of the trend. To best summarize the behavior or the data trend across years, we used a join-point regression program. Between 1994 and 2006, we observed negative annual average change of standardized incidence in men and women (-3.3% and -2.7%) also for the standardized incidences which showed a rather important decline (26.4% in males and 22.3% in females). The truncated age standardized incidence rate of NPC in adults aged of 30 years old and more (N=1209) decreased by -0.4% per year from 1994 to 2006 over time in north Tunisia dropping from 6.09 to 4.14 person-years. However, the rate was relatively stable during this period among youths aged 0-29 years (N=233) in both sexes. NPC demonstrated a favorable evolution from 1994-2006 probably due to a improvement in socioeconomic conditions.
Highlights
The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a rather distinct and geographically well-defined distribution worldwide
This study aimed to present the evolution of incidence rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma over a period of 12 years (1994-2006)
In the North Tunisia Cancer Registry (NTCR), age-standardize incidence for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) decreased from 4,2 (404 cases) to 3,5 (283 cases ) per 100 000 person - year between 1994-1998 and 2002-2006 among men and from 1,8 to 1,3 per 100 000 person - year among women in the corresponding time periods
Summary
The incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has a rather distinct and geographically well-defined distribution worldwide. High to intermediate rate are observed in certain populations and regions in China, Southeast Asia, Northern Africa, among Inuit population of Alaska, Greenland, and Northern Canada; and in migrants of Chinese and Filipino descent (Yu MC et al, 2006). Outside of these endemic areas, NPC can be considered a rather rare neoplasm. Using data from the population -based North Tunisia Cancer Registry (NTCR) for the period 1994-2006. Using data from the population -based North Tunisia Cancer Registry (NTCR) for the period 1994-2006. (Cancer Registry Northern Tunisia: Data 2004-2006, 2012.)
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