Carcinoma of the Nasopharynx: A Review of 86 Cases

The data of 86 patients, 63 males and 23 females, with nasopharynx carcinoma treated in the Rotterdam Radio-Therapeutic Institute in the period 1966–80 are discussed. Classification was made according to UICC (1978). We found an increasing local recurrence rate with increasing T category and an increasing regional recurrence rate with increasing N category. The incidence of regional metastasis was significantly smaller when elective neck irradiation was given. Distant metastasis was only seen in the more advanced stages. The five-year overall survival was 30%. A clear correlation between stage and prognosis was evident. Patients younger than 45 years of age at presentation fared markedly better than older patients. Increased survival for females as compared to males could be explained by differences in age and stage between the sexes. Females were younger and had a more favourable stage. To reduce the incidence of transverse myelitis, the dose to the spinal cord must be kept below 5000 cGy (rad) in five weeks.