Update on the management and therapeutic monitoring of advanced nasopharyngeal cancer.
Despite being potentially curable at an early stage, more than 50% of patients who have nasopharyngeal carcinoma present with advanced locoregional disease, which results in a poor prognosis. This article discusses key advancements in the management of nasopharyngeal cancer, including the incorporation of concurrent chemoradiotherapy, new radiotherapy delivery techniques in the form of conformal and intensity-modulated radiotherapy, and salvage options for locoregional recurrence. New cytotoxic and targeted therapies that have resulted in improved survival in the metastatic setting are also described. The use of Epstein-Barr virus DNA for the prognostication and monitoring of nasopharyngeal cancer and the role of new diagnostic imaging techniques are also discussed.
Loong
Herbert H
HH
Department of Clinical Oncology, Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, New Territories, Hong Kong SAR.
Ma
Brigette B
BB
Chan
Anthony T
AT
D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000379:methods; D004279:DNA, Viral / Q000378:metabolism; D003952:Diagnostic Imaging / Q000379:methods*; D020031:Epstein-Barr Virus Infections / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D004854:Herpesvirus 4, Human / Q000378:metabolism; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008991:Monitoring, Physiologic / Q000379:methods*; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*
D004279:DNA, Viral