International recommendations on postoperative management for potentially resectable locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

<div><div><div><p>Purpose: Locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) presents substantial challenges in clinical management. While postoperative re-irradiation (re-RT) has been acknowledged as a potential treatment option, standardized guidelines and consensus regarding the use of re-RT in this context are lacking. This article provides a comprehensive review and summary of international recommendations on postoperative management for potentially resectable locally recurrent NPC, with a special focus on postoperative re-RT.</p><p>Methods and Materials: A thorough search was conducted to identify relevant studies on postoperative re-RT for locally recurrent NPC. Controversial issues, including resectability criteria, margin assessment, indications for postoperative re-RT, and the optimal dose and method of re-RT, were addressed through a Delphi consensus process.</p><p>Results: The consensus recommendations emphasize the need for a clearer and broader definition of resectability, highlighting the importance of achieving clear surgical margins, preferably through an en bloc approach with frozen section margin assessment. Furthermore, these guidelines suggest considering re-RT for patients with positive or close margins. Optimal postoperative re-RT doses typically range around 60Gy, and hyperfractionation has shown promise in reducing toxicity.</p><p>Conclusion: These guidelines aim to assist clinicians in making evidence-based decisions and improving patient outcomes in the management of potentially resectable locally recurrent NPC. By addressing key areas of controversy and providing recommendations on resectability, margin assessment, and re-RT parameters, these guidelines serve as a valuable resource for the clinical experts involved in the treatment of locally recurrent NPC.</p><p>Summary: This article provides international recommendations on postoperative management for potentially resectable locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), with a special focus on postoperative re-irradiation (re-RT). The consensus guidelines highlight the importance of achieving clear surgical margins, suggest considering re-RT for patients with positive or close margins, recommend an optimal re-RT dose of around 60Gy, and propose the use of hyperfractionation to reduce toxicity. The aim is to improve patient outcomes in the management of resectable locally recurrent NPC.<br></p></div></div></div><div><div><h2>Keywords</h2></div></div>