Locoregional extension and patterns of failure for nasopharyngeal carcinoma with intracranial extension

Abstract Objective To evaluate the locoregional extension and patterns of failure for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with intracranial extension to improve clinical target volume (CTV) delineation. Patients and methods A total of 205 NPC patients with intracranial extension by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were retrospectively reviewed. Results According to the cumulative incidence rates of tumor invasion, we initially classified anatomic sites surrounding the nasopharynx into three risk grades: high risk (≥35%), medium risk (≥10–35%), and low risk ( Conclusion For NPC with intracranial extension, primary disease and regional LN spread follow an orderly pattern and LN skipping was unusual. Clinical target volume reduction may be feasible for selected patients.