[Concurrent control study of different radiotherapy for primary nasopharyngeal carcinoma: intensity-modulated radiotherapy versus conventional radiotherapy].
OBJECTIVE
Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) has recently gained popularity in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and improved the local-regional control rate. This study was to explore whether IMRT could improved the survival rate while reduce the radiation-related injury for primary NPC patients compared with conventional radiotherapy (CRT).


METHODS
From Nov. 2003 to Dec. 2005, 190 patients with NPC treated with IMRT in a single hospital were retrospectively analyzed. Another 190 patients treated with conventional radiotherapy at the same period were matched by prognostic factors respectively. The survival status and treatment-induced adverse effects were investigated. Treatment results, the occurrence and severity of adverse effects of two groups were compared.


RESULTS
In the treatment of NPC, IMRT was superior to CRT in term of 4-year local regional control rate, relapse-free survival rate without reducing the overall survival rate. But there were no significant differences in the 4-year progress-free survival rate and distant metastasis-free survival rate between the two groups. Significant reductions of the occurrence rates and severity of acute skin reaction, neck fibrosis, trismus and xerostomia were noted in IMRT arm. But there were no differences in mucositis, hematological toxicity, hearing loss and radiation induced cranial neuropathy between IMRT arm and CRT arm.


CONCLUSIONS
IMRT could improve the local regional control rate and relapse-free survival rate while reduce some radiation-related complications in patients with NPC. But the improvement of overall survival rate did not reach significant level.
Zhang
Yu
Y
Department of Radiation Oncology, Teaching Hospital of Fujian Medical University, Fujian Provincial Tumor Hospital, Fujian, P. R. China.
Lin
Zhi-An
ZA
Pan
Jian-Ji
JJ
Zheng
Zhuo
Z
Yang
Ling
L
Lin
Shao-Jun
SJ
Zheng
Fei
F
D000328:Adult; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D018572:Disease-Free Survival; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009303:Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011882:Radiotherapy, High-Energy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods*; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D015996:Survival Rate; D014987:Xerostomia / Q000209:etiology