Epidemiological profile clinical, therapeutic, and prognostic characteristics of the upper aerodigestive tract cancers in Mauritania (2017 to 2023)

Abstract

Upper aerodigestive tract (UADT) cancers are among the six most frequent malignancies worldwide. They are strongly associated with tobacco and alcohol exposure and mostly occur after the age of 50. In Mauritania, however, national data are still missing. This retrospective study describes UADT cancers diagnosed and treated at the National Oncology Center of Nouakchott between 2017 and 2023. It includes 325 confirmed cases involving the base of tongue, tonsils, soft palate, oropharynx, hypopharynx, and larynx. Data were analyzed with SPSS using chi-square tests for categorical variables. The mean age at diagnosis was 55.8 years, with men representing 63 % of cases (sex ratio = 1.7). Around one-quarter of patients reported tobacco use, whereas alcohol history was rarely documented. The hypopharynx was the most frequent tumor site, and the Trarza region recorded the highest number of cases. Diagnoses have increased steadily since 2017. This first national report shows a growing burden of UADT cancers in Mauritania and underlines the need for prevention focused on smoking, together with further research into genetic, environmental, and nutritional factors.