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Radiation management of advanced nasopharyngeal cancer
Author(s) -
Amornmarn Rumpa,
Prempree Thongbliew,
Sewchand Wilfred,
Jaiwatana Jaisiri
Publication year - 1983
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/1097-0142(19830901)52:5<802::aid-cncr2820520509>3.0.co;2-m
Subject(s) - medicine , brachytherapy , radiation therapy , nasopharyngeal cancer , external beam radiation , palliative treatment , external beam radiotherapy , curative treatment , surgery , disease , cancer , palliative care , nasopharyngeal carcinoma , nursing
During the period from 1957–1976, 70 patients with advanced malignant tumors of nasopharynx were treated by irradiation in the Department of Radiation Therapy, University of Maryland Hospital. Fortynine patients were treated with curative intent and 21 patients with palliative purpose. Of 49 patients treated for cure, 22 (45%) survived disease‐free for at least 5 years. Local control was achieved best (92%) by combined treatment, external beam and brachytherapy. Factors responsible for local control and disease‐free survival, appear to be related to clinical staging (primary and nodal disease), cell types and treatment used. In spite of aggressive radiation treatment for advanced cases (Stages III and IV), distant disease is still a major problem and will necessitate further trial by combined chemotherapeutic treatment with irradiation. This article highlights the results and failures of the technique of the irradiation, both external and brachytherapy. It is suggested that aggressive radiation treatment using a combined approach (external beam and brachytherapy, whenever possible) be done in all cases for cure. Palliative treatment can only offer a short‐term symptom‐free status in 72% of all cases treated.