Curative effect of simultaneous chemo-radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in late course radiotherapy

[Objective] To observe the effect of local control rate, survival rate, distant metastasis rate and the acute reaction of oral and pharynx membrane to x-ray in simultaneous chemo-radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma in late course of radiotherapy. [Methods] From March 1998 to March 2002, 78 patients with histologically proved nasopharyngeal carcinoma (stage Ⅲ, Ⅳa) were randomized into two groups. Group A (control group) received chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy one cycle (DF method) and then routine radiotherapy. It finally received another assistant chemotherapy 2 to 3 cycles. Group B was based on the same therapy and added chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy one cycle just after finishing the radiotherapy on the face combined with neck. [Result] The 3-year primary tumor and cervical node control rate in group B was 10% higher than that in group A, and they were 76.92% vs 66.67% (P 0.05) and 76.92% vs 64.10% (P 0.05) respectively. The 3-year survival rate in two groups were 74.35% vs 71.80% (P 0.05). The distant metastasis in group A and group B were 23.08%, 25.64% (P 0.05) respectively. The reactions of the oral and pharynx membrane were little different compared group A with group B. [Conclusion] The upper radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy may increase 3-year local disease control rate in patient with nasopharyngeal carcinoma at stage Ⅲ, Ⅳ a.