Locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: treatment results for patients with computed tomography assessment

To study the treatment outcome in patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma as restaged by computed tomography (CT).

One hundred forty patients with CT restaged locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma were reviewed. Patients were restaged at recurrence according to the AJCC stage classification with the following distribution: T1-T2:30%, T3:19%, T4:51%. Ninety-seven patients received reirradiation; among these 62 had external irradiation, 34 had brachytherapy, and 1 had both. Twelve patients received surgery. Thirty-one patients were treated with palliative intent and received either chemotherapy or supportive treatment only. Overall survival (OAS) and performance-adjusted survival (PAS, defined as surviving with a Karnofsky performance score [KPS] > 50) were calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Multivariate analysis was performed using the Cox model.

The median survival for all patients was 23.8 months. After reirradiation, the 3-yr and 5-yr OAS rates were 46% and 36%, respectively. The corresponding PAS rates were 40% and 28%. The 3-yr OAS rates for recurrent T1-2, T3, and T4 disease after reirradiation were 71%, 42%, and 30%; the corresponding 5-yr OAS rates were 57%, 42%, 17%. The 3-yr and 5-yr OAS rates in patients receiving palliative treatments only were 19% and 0%, respectively. The 3-yr OAS rate after surgery was 42%. In the multivariate analysis, older age, recurrent T3-4 disease, and palliative treatment were unfavorable factors in predicting overall survival, whereas recurrent T3-4 disease, baseline KPS < 70, and palliative treatment were unfavorable factors in predicting PAS. A high complication rate was observed after reirradiation, with 34% of patients developing neurological sequel.

Aggressive treatment for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma is warranted especially for those with disease confined to the nasopharynx. Survival after retreatment for more extensive disease remains poor but was still superior to supportive treatment only. Early diagnosis of local recurrence allows prompt administration of treatment and is associated with better outcome. Future studies should aim at improving the therapeutic ratio in the retreatment of recurrent disease especially in patients with more extensive local recurrence.