Efficacy of Chemotherapy Combined with Radiotherapy versus Radiotherapy Alone for 65 Cases with Locally Advanced Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

[Purpose] To explore the efficacy of induction chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). [Methods] Sixtyfive cases with locally advanced NPC were enralled in two groups: treatment group, 45 cases treated with 1 cycle of induction chemotherapy plus radiotherapy and 3 ～5 cycles of adjuvant chemotherapy; control group, 20 cases treated with radiotherapy alone. Chemotherapy regimen consisted of 5-Fu 0.5g/m2 every day for 3 days plus EPI 60mg/m2 1 day and DDP 20mg/m2 every day for 3 days by intravenous infusion. Radiotherapy for were same in both groups. [Results] The 3-year disease-free survival (DFS) rates in treatment group and control group were 71.0% and 35.0%(P0.05), and the distant metastasis rate were 46.7% and 75.0%(P0.05), respectively. The toxicities were well tolerated. [Conclusion] Induction chemotherapy combined with radiotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy could improve disease-free survival and reduce metastasis for patients with locally advanced NPC.