Intracavitary and External Radiotherapy for Primary Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Objective To analyze the treatment results of intracavitary hyperfractionated brachytherapy for T\-1, T\-2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma for late complications causing by this Methods A total of 218 patients with T\-1, T\-2 NPC was evaluated in this study: 128 patiens were treated with external radiotherapy follow by intracavitary brachytherapy(RB), 90 patients were treated with external radiotherapy(RT) alone. The patiens treated by RT alone group received a total dose of 70～80 Gy and that of RB group was 54～70 Gy. The dose of brachytherapy ranged 12～24 Gy and was 2 5～3 0 Gy per fraction, 2 fraction per day with 6 hours interval. Results The 5 year survival rates were 82 74% and 71 2% in the RB and RT groups(P0 05). The 5 year disease free survival rates were 75 08% and 66 45% in the RB and the RT(P0 05). The 5 year local control rates were 97 25% and 89 85%(P0 05). All were differences significant. The morbidity of the late complications causing by radiotherapy is higher in RT than in RB. Conclusion The method of external radiotherapy follow by intracatitary hyperfractionated brachytherapy may raise the local control rates and reduce the late complications causing by external radiotherapy.