Long‐term outcome and pattern of failure for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity‐modulated radiotherapy

Abstract

Purpose

To analyze the long‐term outcome and pattern of failure for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after intensity‐modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods and materials

Patients with NPC after IMRT from 2001 to 2008 were recruited (n = 865). Clinical features, laboratory data, and treatments were collected.

Results

The 10‐year local recurrence‐free survival, distant metastasis‐free survival, and disease‐specific survival (DSS) were 92.0%, 83.4%, and 78.6%, respectively. A total of 209 patients died: 59% of whom died from distant metastasis. The 10‐year DSS was higher in patients who received chemoradiotherapy than those who received IMRT alone for patients with high‐risk stage III disease, while there was no survival difference for patients with stage II and low‐risk stage III disease.

Conclusions

IMRT provides satisfactory long‐term survival for patients with NPC. Distant metastasis has been the most common reason for failure. Adding chemotherapy did not improve survival in patients with stage II and low‐risk stage III disease.

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