3 specific radiation treatments for nasopharyngeal cancer

Radiotherapy is the first choice for the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma for two reasons: the vast majority of nasopharyngeal carcinomas are poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinomas, which are sensitive to radiotherapy; and the lesions of nasopharyngeal carcinoma are relatively hidden and not suitable for surgical resection. The overall 5-year survival rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with radiotherapy alone can reach about 50%, and the 5-year survival rate of patients with early nasopharyngeal carcinoma can reach more than 80% after radiotherapy alone, and even patients in the advanced stage can reach 30%. There are three types of radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma:

1. Conventional external irradiation

Radioactive cobalt or linear accelerator high-energy radiotherapy is used. Electron beams with lower penetration can be used for neck irradiation. External irradiation therapy is generally divided into two stages. The first stage generally lasts about one month, with an irradiation dose of 35 to 40 Gy. The second stage adjusts the irradiation time and dose according to the specific location of the tumor. The irradiation time is 6 to 8 weeks, and the irradiation dose is 45 to 80 Gy.

2. Intranasopharyngeal afterloading radiotherapy

It uses a high-dose micro-iridium source and a computer-controlled motor to accurately deliver the radiation source to the irradiated area, achieving individualized treatment with definite therapeutic effects. It is currently mostly used as an adjuvant treatment for conventional external irradiation.

3. Stereotactic radiotherapy

Stereotactic isocentric technology is used to focus radiation on the lesion for a high-dose irradiation. The beam is projected into the target through three-dimensional space to form a high dose, while the surrounding normal tissues receive a low dose. This is just like a surgical knife removing the lesion. Therefore, the 60-cobalt and linear accelerator used for radiotherapy are called gamma knives and X-knife because they use gamma or X-ray treatment.