[Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC): comparison of clinical staging-systems]

A group of 54 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) has been classified according to the TNM-staging-systems of the UICC (International Union Against Cancer), DAG (German Work Group "Clinical Oncology"), J.H.C. Ho/Hong Kong and the 2nd International Symposium on NPC, Kyoto 1977. For several parameters the patients have been classified for AJC (American Joint Committee for Cancer Staging and End-Results-Reporting), too. Tumor extension to the base of the skull or pterygopalatine fossa can only be assessed by radiological techniques. Therefore 36 of the 54 patients have been examined for osseous lesions of these regions with both conventional and computerized tomography. New computed tomographs with high resolution power give better information about tumor involvement than conventional tomography. The value of X-ray methods for correct staging of NPC are demonstrated. A review of the results showed that the staging system of Ho is the most reliable of the staging systems. The other staging systems ie. UICC and DAG need considerable improvement before they can be recommended.