Two-step radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients

Due to the special location of nasopharyngeal carcinoma, it is located deep in the nasopharynx, with the skull base above the nasopharynx, the brain stem and cervical vertebrae behind it, and the posterior nasal foramen in front. The tumor often infiltrates to varying degrees in the skull base, carotid sheath area, and parapharyngeal space. The metastasis rate of upper cervical lymph nodes is high. Therefore, surgery cannot completely remove the primary lesion and cervical metastases, and radiotherapy becomes the first choice for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma who are eligible for radiotherapy need to proceed in two steps:

Step 1: Choose the method and means of radiotherapy

Radiotherapy methods for nasopharyngeal carcinoma include conventional radiotherapy, intensity-modulated conformal radiotherapy, X-knife (or gamma knife), image-guided radiotherapy, etc. With the advancement of radiotherapy equipment and technology, while the effect of radiotherapy is improved, the side effects of radiotherapy are also decreasing. Patients can choose the appropriate method or means according to their specific condition under the doctor's advice.

Step 2: Choose the time and dose of radiotherapy:

There are two types of radiotherapy doses: radical dose and palliative dose. Both the patients and doctors who are undergoing the first treatment of nasopharyngeal cancer are working hard for the purpose of radical cure. At this time, a radical dose should be given. If it is ordinary radiotherapy or intensity-modulated conformal therapy, the time in the hospital is about one and a half months. In order to radically cure the disease, you must receive the full dose of treatment and cannot give up halfway.

The survival rate of NPC patients after radiotherapy varies with the invasion and metastasis of NPC. Patients with early stage confined to the nasopharyngeal cavity have a higher 5-year survival rate after radiotherapy; those with late metastasis have a relatively lower survival rate. However, the overall 5-year survival rate of NPC patients after radiotherapy has exceeded 50%. With the application of new radiotherapy technology, the survival rate will be further improved.