Clinical outcomes for early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma with predominantly WHO II histology treated by intensity-modulated radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy in nonendemic region of China.

Background: The clinical outcomes for early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in northwest China were evaluated.

Methods: A retrospective study was performed from 69 patients with NPC patients treated with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) with or without chemotherapy.

Results: Median follow-up was 34 months. World Health Organization (WHO) type II was the predominant histology (71%). All treatment failures occurred in T2N1 NPCs (14.5%), with metastasis the major reason. The 3-year overall survival (OS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), and distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS) were 93.3%, 94.1%, and 94.8% respectively. The 3-year survival rate for T2N1 and IMRT alone group were both significantly poorer than the T1N0, T2N0, and T1N1 groups and the chemoradiation group, respectively (p < .05). N1 classification, T2N1 classification, and addition of chemoradiation were significant independent predictors (p < .05). No grade IV toxicities were observed.

Conclusion: T2N1 classification is a unique subgroup with higher risk of distant metastasis. Improved outcomes of T2N1 NPC with predominantly WHO II histology after chemoradiation has not been reported.