Abstract
The purpose of this article is to present preliminary results of simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Fifty-eight patients who underwent simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy for NPC in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University between September 2004 and December 2009 were eligible. Acute and late toxicities were scored weekly according to the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG) acute and late radiation morbidity scoring schemes. An especial focus was on evidence of post-radiation brain injury. Also quality of life was analysed according to the EORTC (European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer) recommendations. Discrete variables were compared by ?2 test. The Kaplan-Meier method was used to calculate the survival rates and generate survival curves. A total of 58 patients with a mean follow-up time of 36 months completed clinical trials.Fifty- seven patients (98.3) achieved complete remission in the primary sites and cervical lymph nodes, with only one patient (1.7%) showing partial remission.The most frequently observed acute toxicities during the concurrent chemoradiotherapy were mucositis and leucopenia. Four patients (6.9%) had RTOG grade 3 mucositis, whereas four patients (6.9%) had grade 3 leucopenia. No patient had grade 4 acute toxicity. Three (5.17%) of the patients exhibited injury to the brain on routine MRI examination, with a median observation of 32 months (range, 25-42months). All of them were RTOG grade 0. The 3-year overall, regional-free and distant metastasis-free survival rates were 85%, 94% and 91%, respectively. Simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy is feasible in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The results showed excellent local control and overall survival, with no significant increase the incidence of radiation brain injury or the extent of damage. A larger population of patients and a longer follow-up period are needed to evaluate ultimate tumor control and late toxicity.
Highlights
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is highly prevalent in southern China, especially in Guang Dong and Hong Kong, due to its insidious location of tumorigenesis and various clinical symptoms, most patients has been in locally advanced stage before diagnosed (Lu et al, 2009)
The results showed excellent local control and overall survival, with no significant increase the incidence of radiation brain injury or the extent of damage
Eligible conditions: (1) nasopharyngeal carcinoma confirmed by pathological diagnosis (2) stageT3-4 (3) without receiving radiotherapy or chemotherapy ever before (4) age
Summary
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is highly prevalent in southern China, especially in Guang Dong and Hong Kong, due to its insidious location of tumorigenesis and various clinical symptoms, most patients has been in locally advanced stage before diagnosed (Lu et al, 2009). Clinical researches indicate that local control rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is of positive correlation with irradiation dose of target volume (Hara et al, 2003; Le et al, 2003). The purpose of this article is to present preliminary results of simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy for locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Conclusion: Simultaneous boost irradiation radiotherapy is feasible in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. The results showed excellent local control and overall survival, with no significant increase the incidence of radiation brain injury or the extent of damage. A larger population of patients and a longer follow-up period are needed to evaluate ultimate tumor control and late toxicity
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Sign-in/Register to access full text options 
Free) 
Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a call
