Xerostomia and Its Influence on Quality of Life of the Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Patients after Different Strategies of Stereotactic Radiotherapy

To compare xerostomia and its effect on quality of life of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after different strategies of stereotactic radiotherapy,91 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients were divided into A and B groups by two different strategies.All were given a questionnaire of clinic regarding xerostomia after 3 year radiotherapy.Its severity and effect on the quality of life were studied.The result show that in A group,the local control rate was 91.80%(56/61),and the 1-,2-,3-year survival rate were 96.72%(59/61)、93.22%(57/61)、91.80%(56/61) respectively.The dose of parotid was 16.69～32.67 Gy(20.21±5.36)Gy.6.56 %(4/61)Xerostomia was found in A group.Moderate xerostomia occurred in 3.28%(2/61) of the patients.No severe occurred.3.28%(2/61) thought that their daily life was effected significantly.In B group,the local control rate was 96.67%(29/30),and the 1-,2-,3-year survival rate were 96.67%(29/30)、93.33%(28/30)、90.00%(27/30)respectively.The dose of parotid was 27.47～40.28 Gy(28.25±10.19)Gy.46.67%(14/30)Xerostomia was found in B group.The moderate and severe xerostomia were 23.33 %(7/30)、 6.67%(2/30) respectively.Of all,33.33%(10/30) needed to drink water while eating,13.33%(4/30)often drank water at night or felt difficulties speaking,and 43.33 %(13/30) thought that their daily life was effected significantly.The local control rates and survival rates were no siginificantly different and the xerostomia occurring rates were different significantly between the two group.The only stereotactic radiotherapy can acquire the same local control rate and the survival rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.It also can decrease the rate of xerostomia and improve the quality of life.