Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (CNP) is an epithelial malignant tumor dominated by undifferentiated carcinomas of nasopharyngeal type (UCNT), in more than 90% of cases. It is a rare tumor in most countries but is more prevalent in southern Asia, Artic regions and North Africa (Maghrebian countries “Algeria, Morocco and Tunisia”: intermediate risk zone: incidence 8–12/100,000). In Oran city (Wester Algeria) its incidence varies on average 5.6/100,000; (report of the cancer registry of Oran 2010). It is a multifactorial disease including Epstein-Barr virus (EBV) activation, genetic susceptibility and exposure to environmental carcinogens. Dietary risk factors in Maghreb area include preserved foods consumption (khlii, harissa, rancid butter), lack of fresh fruit.

The aim of our study is to describe the epidemiological profile and dietary risk factors of NPC in Oran university hospital (EHUO) 2016–2017.

Data were obtained from two years of registration (2016–2017) as part of the cancer registry of EHUO. The central coding is carried out using the supports of CIMO₂ and CIM₁₀. Results were obtained with Epida analysis.

In total, 61 cases of NPC were recorded during the 2016–2017 period. The average age of these patients is 47.1±4.2 years old. The most common histological type is UCNT (83.6%). The discovery of this cancer is often based on revealing symptoms (90.2%). Consumption of preserved foods have been found to be risk factors in our populations such as quaddid (dried mutton stored in oil) (5%), harissa (very spicy condiment prepared with red pepper, olive oil, garlic, caraway) (75%), rancid butter (21%).

In Algeria, this cancer morbidity remains poorly known. A better knowledge of the epidemiology of this cancer will make it possible to put in place preventive measures.