Comparison of toxicity of radiotherapy between conventional and intensity-modulated radiation therapy technique for newly diagnosed nasopharygeal carcinoma

Objective To compare the acute toxicity of radiotherapy between conventional and intensity-modulated radiation therapy(IMRT) technique for newly diagnosed nasopharygeal carcinoma. Methods Eighty patients with newly diagnosed nasopharygeal carcinoma were treated with conventional radiotherapy or IMRT from Feb 2009 to Jan 2011.Acute toxicities including acute skin reaction,acute radiation-induced mucositis,hematological toxicity,trismus and xerostomia were compared between the two groups. Results The incidence of the acute skin reaction,xerostomia and trismus in conventional radiotherapy group was significantly higher than in the IMRT group.The incidence of mucositis and hematological toxicity was similar in the two groups. Conclusion IMRT can significantly reduce the incidence of acute radiation dermatitis,trismus and xerostomia,while the incidence of mucositis and hematological toxicity is similar in the two groups.