Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: Managing Challenges in Jos, Plateau State, Nigeria

Abstract

Introduction:NPC is an uncommon tumour the world over, but has a high prevalence rate in south-east Asia, some parts of the Middle East and North Africa. It has both racial and geographical variations. Common presenting symptoms include—Nasal, cervical, Otologic and Neurophthalmic. Patients presentation to health care facilities is usually late and thus with advanced disease. This study is set out to enumerate and highlight challenges with managing NPC in our centre.Method:A retrospective study, for a period of five years and is set out to look at challenges in managing NPC. Clinical and histological data of patients were reviewed. Patients with histologically confirmed NPC were included in the study and periods of symptoms before presentation, at presentation, first point of presentation, period between presentation and diagnosis, presenting symptom(s) and treatment modality were considered.Results:36 patients aged 11-80 years were reviewed with 24 males and 12 females, m:f (2:1). Major challenges seen were late presentation, long period between presentation and diagnosis, non- availability of treatment facilities in the tertiary health institutions, inability of the patients to afford and access treatment, thus resulting in poor compliance and outcome.Conclusion:Improved health care awareness is advocated for both health care providers and health care seekers regarding NPC. Adequate diagnostic tools and treatment facilities like radiotherapy should be available in all tertiary health centres to ensure improvement in survival rates. Keywords: - Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma, managing, challenges.