The First Report on Incidence of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Sabah, Borneo

Abstract

<b><i>Background:</i></b> Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is the fourth common cancer in Malaysia. A few studies have looked into the incidence of NPC in Malaysia in general, but there has been no published data on its incidence in Sabah specifically, where NPC is very common among the population. The aim of this study is to present the first report on the incidence of NPC in the state of Sabah, Borneo. <b><i>Methods:</i></b> Data of all patients diagnosed with NPC over a 5-year period from January 2015 to December 2019 inclusive were collected from the NPC registry of 3 main hospitals in Sabah. Age-standardized rates (ASRs) for different genders, ethnicities, and districts of origin were calculated. <b><i>Results:</i></b> 215 NPC patients were identified with a mean age at diagnosis of 49 (range 9–82). The ASR of NPC was 7.9/100,000 where the average age-adjusted male-to-female ratio was 2.4. The highest ASR was found in Dusun ethnicity in both male (3.19/100,000) and female (1.69/100,000) individuals, followed by Chinese (both genders), and Kadazan (for male individuals) and Bajau (for female individuals). The highest ASR was found in patients originating from Sandakan, Kota Kinabalu, Keningau, and Tawau. <b><i>Conclusion:</i></b> This is the first report on the incidence of NPC in Sabah, Borneo. The data suggest high ASRs among the population, especially in male Dusun and Chinese ethnic groups. Further research looking into NPC in this state, especially on risk factors and ways to improve diagnosis and prevention among the population, is recommended.

Epidemiology of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma in Sarawak, East Malaysia

“…The state of Pahang reported lower ASR (2012-2017) of 2.4 cases per 100,000 population for men and 0.9 cases per 100,000 population for women, with patients of Chinese ethnicity showing higher rates compared to local natives (Bumiputeras) (Ahmad et al, 2021). Meanwhile, the state of Sabah reported higher than national figures with ASR (2015-2019) of 5.6 cases per 100,000 population for men and 2.3 cases per 100,000 population for women, with the highest incidences among patients of Dusun ethnicity, followed by those of Chinese and Kadazan ethnicities (Wong et al, 2021). A previous study in Sarawak has noted an ASR (2004) of 13.5 cases per 100,000 population for men and 6.2 cases per 100,000 population for women, with the Bidayuh ethnicity recording an ASR of 31.5 cases per 100,000 population for men and 11.8 cases per 100,000 population for women (Devi et al, 2004).…”