What is the cure rate of nasopharyngeal carcinoma and what are the complications?

What is the cure rate for nasopharyngeal carcinoma? What are the complications?

Since NPC is mostly poorly differentiated squamous cell carcinoma, 60Co or linear accelerator high-energy radiotherapy is the first choice for radiotherapy. The 5-year survival rate of radiotherapy is about 45%. Local recurrence and metastasis of NPC after radiotherapy is the main cause of death. Some patients who have received 60-70Gy of external radiation therapy and still have residual local lesions can be treated with intracavitary afterloading therapy.

Compared with other cancers, nasopharyngeal carcinoma is not a particularly dangerous cancer. Its overall cure rate is as high as 80%, and the cure rate for early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma is as high as 90%.

The following are brief introductions to the specific complications of nasopharyngeal carcinoma:

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma should be differentiated from other malignant tumors of the nasopharynx such as lymphosarcoma and nasopharyngeal tuberculosis, nasopharyngeal angiofibroma, pharyngeal tonsil hyperplasia and/or infection, parapharyngeal space tumors, cervical and intracranial tumors such as craniopharyngioma, chordoma, and cerebellopontine angle tumors.

Local reactions: including skin, mucous membranes and salivary glands. Skin reactions are dry dermatitis or even wet dermatitis. 0.1% ice talcum powder or lanolin can be used topically as a base anti-inflammatory ointment. Mucosal reactions are manifested as congestion, edema, exudation and accumulation of secretions in the nasopharyngeal and oropharyngeal mucosa. Mouthwash and lubricating anti-inflammatory agents can be used topically. In a small number of patients, parotid swelling may occur after 2Gy irradiation of the parotid glands. 2-3 When irradiated with 40Gy, saliva secretion is significantly reduced, oral mucosal secretion is increased, and the mucosa is congested and swollen. Patients have dry mouth and difficulty eating. Excessive irradiation of the parotid gland should be avoided.