Treatment of Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Localized in Cavity Using Combined External Beam Irradition With Intracavitary Radiotherapy

Objective: To evaluate the value of combined external beam irradiation with intracavitary radiotherapy for the treatment of recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma(NPC) and to analyze the probable affecting factors. Methods: From December 1988 to November 1994, 73 patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma having received radical radiotherapy previously were treated using combined external beam irradiation with intracavitary radiotherapy.Results: The five year survival rate, survival rate without tumor and local control rate were 20.7%, 17.8% and 41.1% respectively. The effects of total therapeutic dose and dose of external beam irradiation on survival rate were analyzed also. Conclusion: Our data showed external beam irradiation combined with intracavitary radiotherapy is a valuable method for the treatment of recurrent NPC localized in cavity. The total dose should be 56 Gy or above and the external beam irradiation dose should be no less than 42 Gy.