title: [Analysis of residue and regression of metastatic cervical lymph nodes in NPC after radiotherapy].
abstract: Follow up results of residue and regression of metastatic cervical lymph nodes in NPC after radiotherapy are presented. All the 453 cases have been followed for more than five years. According to WHO's criteria, the relative 5 year survival rate was 43.9%. 389 of 453 had had lymph node metastases in the neck at the beginning of treatment. At the end of radiation, immediate regression rate of lymph nodes was 53.2%, which was related to lymph node size before radiotherapy. Five year survival rate of those whose lymph node metastases disappeared completely was 48.8% (group 1). There were 182 cases with residual nodes at the conclusion of radiation (140 recorded in detail). The regression rate of nodes was 96.4% (135/140) and the 5 year survival rate of these 140 patients was 40.0% (group 2). There is no significant difference and the long term results are similar in the two groups. Total recurrence rate in the neck was 4.4%: 5.3% in group 1 and 3.8% in group 2 (P greater than 0.05). The treatment results of the local cervical lesions are the same, too. In 182 cases with residual lesions, 121 with 147 clinically evaluable residual nodes, 0.5 approximately 3 cm in diameter, were followed. The regression time of these residual nodes was 2.5 approximately 2.7 months as to geometric mean (the regressive confidence limit 95%). To sum up, according to the routine cervical target dose, some nodes remaining at the of radiation seem to require no boost dose in order to avoid delayed radiation complications. But the residual nodes which recur during follow up would require a prompt retreatment.
authors.affiliation: Jiangsu Cancer Research Institute, Nanjing.
authors.forename: W Z
authors.initials: WZ
authors.lastname: Chen
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Deng
authors.forename: B Q
authors.initials: BQ
authors.lastname: Wei
mesh_terms: D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008198:Lymph Nodes / Q000528:radiation effects*; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D009333:Neck; D011379:Prognosis