Nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer: a 2- to 17-year follow-up.
OBJECTIVE
To review the 2- to 17-year outcome of nasopharyngectomy following local recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.


METHODS
Retrospective review.


METHODS
University medical center.


METHODS
Thirty-seven patients with biopsy-proven recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer followed up for a minimum of 2 years after transpalatal, transmaxillary, and/or transcervical resection with and without neck dissection.


RESULTS
Clinical examination, magnetic resonance imaging, chest x-ray examination, and liver function tests to determine re-recurrence; unlimited follow-up.


RESULTS
With a mean follow-up of 5.4 years, the crude, 5-year, overall, free-of-disease survival rate was 52%, local control at 5 years was 67%, and the 5-year actuarial survival rate was 60%. Survival by recurrent T stage (rT) was as follows: rT1, 73%; rT2, 40%; rT3, 14%; and rT4, 0%. Complications occurred in 54% and included 1 death from carotid artery injury and 1 patient with permanent pharyngeal plexus paralysis with resultant dysphagia. The remaining patients had transitory complications that spontaneously resolved, required further surgery (closure of palate fistula, debridement, and reapplication of skin graft), or required further medical therapy.


CONCLUSIONS
The results of this study are better than most published reports of additional irradiation for rT1 and rT2 lesions. More recent radiation studies that use radiosurgery or implants suggest promising early results. A randomized prospective study comparing surgery with additional irradiation for recurrent disease at the primary site is warranted.
Fee
Willard E
WE
Stanford University Medical School, Stanford, CA 94305-5328, USA. wfee@stanford.edu
Moir
Melinda S
MS
Choi
Eun Chang
EC
Goffinet
Don
D
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D009305:Nasopharynx / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local; D015996:Survival Rate; D016896:Treatment Outcome