Patterns of care and treatment outcomes for local recurrence of NPC after definite IMRT—A study by the HKNPCSG

Abstract

Background: This study evaluates the contemporary care for patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after failure of the primary course of intensity modulated radiotherapy.

Methods: Eligible patients were identified through the Hong Kong Cancer Registry database. Patterns of care and treatment outcomes were analyzed.

Results: Two hundred seventy‐two patients with locally recurrent tumors were identified. Of them, 30.9% received surgery, whereas 35.7% received re‐irradiation (re‐RT). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) for the whole group was 30.2%. Old age and advanced rT classification were adverse prognostic factors, whereas surgery (mainly in resectable recurrence) was associated with favorable survival outcome. The 5‐year OS rates for patients who received surgery and re‐RT were 56.3% and 21.8%, respectively.

Conclusions: Early detection of resectable recurrence is of paramount importance as surgery for resectable tumors offers the potential to achieve excellent outcomes. Re‐RT could be considered in selected patients with unresectable disease and favorable prognostic features.