[Endoscopic microwave coagulation therapy for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma].
OBJECTIVE
Management of locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is difficult. External beam re-irradiation could cure some patients but might cause severe radiation injury. This study was to evaluate the clinical value of endoscopic microwave coagulation therapy as salvage treatment for locally recurrent NPC.


METHODS
Between Aug. 1994 and Apr. 2005, 55 patients with locally recurrent NPC (stage rT1) were treated with endoscopic microwave coagulation therapy. Local progression-free and overall survival were observed.


RESULTS
The median follow-up was 102.1 months (range, 22.4-153.9 months). The median time from last irradiation to recurrence was 22.1 months (range, 6.5-125.6 months). Five patients had local failure. The 5-year local progression-free and overall survival rates were 90.7% and 93.6%, respectively. No patient had intraoperative complications. One patient had nasopharyngeal necrosis after operation, and was healed after one month.


CONCLUSIONS
Endoscopic microwave coagulation therapy is effective without severe complications in locally recurrent NPC patients. It is a minimally invasive therapy for recurrent NPC.
Deng
Man-Quan
MQ
State Key Laboratory of Oncology in South China, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510060, P R China.
Mai
Hai-Qiang
HQ
Mai
Wei-Yuan
WY
Mo
Hao-Yuan
HY
Huang
Xiao-Ming
XM
Guo
Xiang
X
Hong
Ming-Huang
MH
D000328:Adult; D004564:Electrocoagulation / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D004724:Endoscopy / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008872:Microwaves / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000401:mortality / Q000601:surgery*