A comparative study of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity modulated irradiation and platinum-based chemotherapy

PURPOSE

To investigate the prognosis of three subgroups of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

Hundred and eighty-one consecutive patients with locoregionally advanced untreated nasopharyngeal carcinoma were retrospectively divided into three subgroups: locally advanced group (T3-4N0-1M0), regionally advanced group (T1-2N2-3M0) and the mixed group (T3-4N2-3M0). They were all treated with definitive intensity-modulated radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy. Their prognosis were investigated and compared. Multivariate analysis was applied to identify the independent risk factors of study endpoints.

RESULTS

The 3-year locoregional control rates for locally advanced group, regionally advanced group, and the mixed group were 91.5%, 90.6% and 84.3% respectively, no significant difference was observed (P=0.656, P=0.429). The 3-year distant metastasis-free survival rates were 89.6%, 75.7% and 76.3%, respectively. The distant metastasis-free survival rate of the locally advanced group was significantly higher than the other two subgroups (P=0.028, P=0.028). The 3-year progression-free survival rates were 85.5%, 67.9% and 67.1% respectively with significance also favoring the locally advanced group (P=0.043, P=0.023). Nodal stage and the performance status were the independent risk factors of distant metastasis in the observed period.

CONCLUSIONS

In the context of intensity-modulated radiotherapy and platinum-based chemotherapy, the locally advanced group had a better prognosis compared with the regionally advanced group and the mixed group. Treatment stratification may be based on nodal stage.