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Epidemiological and clinical landscape of nasopharyngeal carcinoma over two decades (2000–2021): a retrospective analysis of 10,419 cases

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  24 October 2025

Ahmed Maher Khalil Open the ORCID record for Ahmed Maher Khalil [Opens in a new window] ,
Mohamed Amin Open the ORCID record for Mohamed Amin [Opens in a new window] ,
Abdallah R. Allam ,
Mohamed Basyouni Helal Open the ORCID record for Mohamed Basyouni Helal [Opens in a new window] ,
Rawda Algohary ,
Sarah Akbar ,
Mohamed Mokhtar Elmorsy  and
Mahmoud Nabih Elsayed
Ahmed Maher Khalil*
Affiliation:
Maxillofacial Department, Royal Derby Hospital, UK
Mohamed Amin
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Department, Queen’s Hospital, Barking, Havering and Redbridge University Hospitals NHS Trust (BHRUT), London, UK
Abdallah R. Allam
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt
Mohamed Basyouni Helal
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt
Rawda Algohary
Affiliation:
Faculty of Medicine, Menoufia University, Egypt
Sarah Akbar
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Department, Stepping Hill Hospital, Stockport, UK
Mohamed Mokhtar Elmorsy
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Department, James Cook University Hospital, Middlesbrough, UK
Mahmoud Nabih Elsayed
Affiliation:
Otolaryngology Department, Stockport NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, UK
*
Corresponding author: Ahmed Maher Khalil; Email: Ahmed.khalil6@nhs.net
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Abstract

Objectives

This study aimed to evaluate the epidemiological characteristics, incidence trends and survival outcomes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma from 2000 to 2021.

Methods

A retrospective analysis of 10,419 NPC cases from the SEER database (2000–2021) was conducted. Incidence rates were calculated per 100,000 population. Joinpoint regression assessed trends, and Kaplan–Meier and Cox regression evaluated survival.

Results

Most patients were male (68.9 per cent) and White individuals (51.2 per cent), with 49.5 per cent presenting at a regional stage. Males were more likely to present with distant disease than females (72.2 per cent vs. 27.8 per cent; p < 0.001). Nasopharyngeal carcinoma incidence was higher in males (0.8/100,000) and Asian populations (1.87/100,000). Overall incidence declined (average annual per cent change: –0.8 per cent; p = 0.002). Median survival was 79 months, longer in females (90) and Asian populations (118). Distant disease predicted higher mortality (hazard ratio 1.71; p < 0.001). Nasopharyngeal carcinoma was the leading cause of death (43.6 per cent).

Conclusion

Males and Asian populations had higher nasopharyngeal carcinoma incidence. Female sex and Asian race predicted better survival, while distant-stage disease increased mortality.

Keywords

incidencenasopharyngeal carcinomaretrospective studiesSEER programsurvival rate

Information

Type
Main Article
Information
The Journal of Laryngology & Otology , Volume 140 , Issue 1 , January 2026 , pp. 18 - 24
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2025. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of J.L.O. (1984) LIMITED.

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Footnotes

Ahmed Maher Khalil takes responsibility for the integrity of the content of the paper.

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