Incidence and Survival Rates for Young Blacks With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in the United States

Abstract

To compare the incidence rates of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) among US black, white, and Asian/Pacific Islander (Asian) populations, with a focus on those diagnosed before age 20 years and between ages 20 and 29 years. Our secondary objective was to determine differences in survival rates between US blacks, whites, and Asians with NPC who were younger than 30 years. Design: Data from the National Cancer Institute Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER) tumor registry system were used to determine incidence and survival rates for cases of NPC diagnosed in the specified age groups between 1973 and 2002. Patients: Blacks, whites, and Asians younger than 30 years with NPC. Main Outcome Measures: Incidence rates and 2-and 5-year survival rates. Results: From 1973 to 2002, incidence rates per 1 million persons, adjusted to the 2000 standard population, for blacks, whites, and Asians younger than 20 years with NPC were 1.61 (n = 43), 0.61 (n = 99), and 0.95 (n=18), respectively. The incidence rate ratio of blacks to Asians younger than 20 years was 1.69 (95% confidence interval [CI], 0.96-3.12) (P =.07), while the rate ratio for blacks to whites was 2.66 (95% CI, 1.82-3.85) (PϽ.001). From ages 20 to 29 years, rates increased slightly in blacks (1.87) and whites (0.96), while increasing dramatically in Asians (7.18). Two-and 5-year relative survival rates in blacks younger than 30 years were 84% and 64%, respectively, with little variation between races in this age group. Conclusions: Blacks younger than 20 years have increased incidence rates of NPC relative to whites and may be the only group having a higher NPC incidence rate than Asians. Two-and 5-year survival rates of blacks, whites, and Asians younger than 30 years with NPC are similar.

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma: A review

“…114 "Asians" had a higher incidence of NPC and better survival for all types and stages compared to the other groups. This is at variance with the study by Richey et al 115 who reported limited variation in the 2-and 5-year survival rates between different ethnic groups. Based on SEER data, Bhatacharyya found, that the overall survival was better among Chinese patients (in the US) compared to whites, but the disease-specific survival was similar between the 2 groups.…”

“…Interestingly, in their study (based on SEER data), Richey et al found that in patients o30 years, blacks had the highest incidence rate of NPC. 115 It should be noted, however, that although the SEER database is the largest cancer registry in the US, studies comparing different ethnic groups based on the SEER data, have limitations. One obvious limitation is the fact that the ethnic and geographical origin is not particularly detailed.…”

Benefits of local tumor excision and pharyngectomy on the survival of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients: a retrospective observational study based on SEER database

“…Over the last three decades, the incidence rates of nasopharyngeal carcinoma decreased significantly in southern and eastern Asian [19], while the incidence rate in the United States have remained almost unchanged [20]. The survival rates for each AJCC stage and histological subtype have exhibited considerable improvement over time, especially in Asians due to more favorable undifferentiated histology in this group [21].…”

Avaliação dos fatores clínicos e do tratamento em pacientes com carcinoma indiferenciado da nasofaringe

“…12,13 These findings coincide with those of the National Cancer Institute (USA), showing a higher incidence of nasopharyngeal carcinomas in young adult Caucasians and Afro-Americans compared to Asian patients. 14 Tobacco and alcohol are relevant etiological factors in upper digestive airways. Undifferentiated nasopharyngeal malignancies, however, are less affected by these substances, which are not considered etiological in these cases.…”