RADIATION-THERAPY OF NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA

One hundred twenty-one patients treated for nasopharyngeal carcinoma with radiation therapy were analyzed; 85 were male, 36 were female. Twenty-one percent had tumour stage T0/T1; 32.5%, T2; 27.5%, T3; and 19%, T4. In 75% of the cases, the lymph nodes were involved. Twelve patients underwent a neck dissection. Histology showed squamous cell carcinoma in 38%, lymphoepitheloid carcinoma in 41.4%, undifferentiated carcinoma in 19%, and adenocarcinoma in 2%. Beginning in 1980, a modified radiation technique with large portals and an increase of the dose from 57.1 Gy to 61.5 Gy targe volume dose was used. Five year overall survival was 32.1%, recurrence-free survival, 30.7%; and local recurrence free survival, 45.8%. Age, sex, and T stage had no significant influence on survival. Multivariate analysis (Cox model) showed that involvement of the lymph nodes, histology, and the new irradiation technique with the higher total dose significantly influenced survival.