Nasopharyngeal carcinoma in India: end-result analysis (1980-1984)

One hundred fifty patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated at the Tata Memorial Hospital from January 1980 to December 1984. Lymphoepithelioma was the most common histologic subtype. Advanced disease in stages III and IV was seen in 22.66% and 72% of the patients, respectively. Complete remission was obtained in 80 of 120 patients (66.66%) with radiation alone and in 19 of 30 patients (63.3%) who received preradiation chemotherapy and radiation. Age, sex, and histology did not influence the rate of complete remission. The N0-1 nodal status group had a significantly better response of 81% and 36% survival, as compared with the N2-3 group with a 55% response and 20% survival. Only 30 of those who received radiation alone and 10 of those who received preradiation chemotherapy are disease-free for a median period of 24 months. Twenty-six relapses have occurred within a median period of 12 months. The 5-year actuarial disease-free survival is 13%. This indicates the need for an early diagnosis and combined aggressive treatment to improve survival.