Linac radiosurgery for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: rationale and technique.
BACKGROUND
Patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma benefit from reirradiation. A main barrier to successful palliation or cure is dose limitation secondary to normal tissue tolerance. There are many strategies to increase the tolerated dose to the recurrent lesions. Stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of these lesions has rarely been reported.


METHODS
Three patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated with linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery.


RESULTS
One patient remained disease-free 1 year after radiosurgery; the second patient had neurologic deterioration of uncertain etiology (complication vs recurrence) 6 months after radiosurgery; and the third patient had local recurrence 6 months after radiosurgery.


CONCLUSIONS
Stereotactic radiosurgery can be used to deliver a boost dose of radiation to recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinomas. The technique is increasingly available and may offer some advantages compared with other techniques. Treatment recommendations are presented.
Buatti
J M
JM
Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida Health Sciences Center, Gainesville 32610-0385.
Friedman
W A
WA
Bova
F J
FJ
Mendenhall
W M
WM
D000368:Aged; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002277:Carcinoma / Q000556:secondary / Q000601:surgery*; D002945:Cisplatin / Q000008:administration & dosage; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D005260:Female; D005472:Fluorouracil / Q000008:administration & dosage; D006801:Humans; D008207:Lymphatic Metastasis; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000601:surgery*; D016634:Radiosurgery / Q000379:methods; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy
D002945:Cisplatin; D005472:Fluorouracil