咽后淋巴结转移在鼻咽癌调强放疗预后中的意义

目的 探讨鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结阳性率和坏死率与临床疗效的关系,为制定综合治疗方案提供参考。方法 选取2004年8月至2007年3月接受调强放疗的72例鼻咽癌患者,在CT定位图像上勾画咽后淋巴结及坏死区,计算坏死区体积,分析咽后淋巴结阳性率及坏死率与临床相关因素的关系。结果 颈部淋巴结转移率为90.3%,其中,Ⅰ区转移率为2.8%,Ⅱ区为86.0%,Ⅲ区为51.4%,Ⅳ区为20.8%,Ⅴ区为37.5%。咽后淋巴结转移率为79.2%,咽后淋巴结交叉转移率为6.9%。咽后淋巴结阳性者中,左侧出现坏死占21.6%,右侧出现坏死占27.2%,双侧均出现坏死占15.4%。咽后淋巴结转移与N分期和临床分期有明显相关性（福州92分期,r=0.383、-0.314,P<0.05;UICC分期,r=-0.434、-0.306,P<0.05）。中位随访时间36个月,4例出现复发,6例出现远处转移,死亡7例。咽后淋巴结阳性与复发率、远处转移率及生存率、无病生存率明显相关（r=0.085、0.138、-0.140、-0.124,P<0.05）;咽后淋巴结坏死与复发率、远处转移率相关（r=0.256、-0.057,P<0.05）,与生存率和无病生存率无明显相关。结论 咽后淋巴结转移与N分期和临床分期相关,主要是同侧转移,交叉转移比例低。咽后淋巴结阳性和鼻咽癌局部复发率、远处转移率及生存率明显相关。咽后淋巴结坏死与鼻咽癌调强放疗后局部复发率、远处转移率明显相关,与总生存率、无病生存率相关性不明确,需进一步随访观察。     

鼻咽癌颈部淋巴结转移与鼻咽灶的关系

收集并分析了疗前鼻咽癌伴颈淋巴结转移者254例,探讨其咽旁间隙和/或"茎内"受界与颈淋巴结的关系.结果本组鼻咽癌单侧颈淋巴结转移率78.35%,双侧者21.65%."茎内"和咽旁间隙受累与颈淋巴结转移有关,但与其大小无关.鼻咽癌仅累及鼻咽一侧时,颈淋巴结转移与侵犯鼻咽部位多少无关;双侧"茎内"受界与同时伴单侧或双侧咽旁间隙受累,两者颈林巴结转移率无差别.鼻咽癌累及双侧"茎内"合并单侧咽旁间隙受累比合并双侧咽旁间隙受累,其单侧颈淋巴结转移率较高,双侧颈淋巴结转移率较低,而双侧"茎内"或咽旁间隙受累比单侧"茎内"或咽旁间隙受累,其双侧颈淋巴结转移则较高.     

MRI与CT在鼻咽癌诊断中的应用价值及分期系统比较

目的 评价MRI与CT检查在鼻咽癌诊断中的应用价值,并对鼻咽癌2008年分期、1992年福州分期及2002年国际抗癌联盟(UICC)分期系统进行比较.方法 分析76例鼻咽癌初诊患者MRI和CT影像资料,依据2008年分期以MRI为标准,评价MRI与CT对鼻咽癌新分期的差异.并以MRI为标准,比较鼻咽癌不同分期系统间的差异.MRI与CT对肿瘤侵犯范围比较采用McNemar法检验.结果 MRI判断鼻咽癌翼内肌(22例)、翼外肌(15例)、颅底(35例)及颅内(11例)侵犯方面与CT(分别为24、11、32、6例)存在差异,但无统计学意义(P＞0.05);MRI在判断咽旁间隙侵犯(50例)、咽后组淋巴结转移(48例)、T1期(18例)、T2期(15例)、N0期(18例)、N1期(33例)上,与CT(分别为61、23、11、22、24、27例)不一致者分别为11例、25例、7例、7例、6例及6例,差异有统计学意义(P＜0.05).CT多显示的11例咽旁间隙侵犯,MRI证实5例为咽旁间隙受压,6例为咽后组淋巴结转移,而MRI较CT共多显示咽后组淋巴结转移25例,以上2点为引起T、N分期差异的主要原因.鼻咽癌2008年分期与1992年分期比较,T分期上升9例,下降1例,N分期上升16例,临床分期上升15例,下降1例;与2002年UICC分期比较,T分期上升7例,N分期上升10例,临床分期上升12例.结论 与鼻咽癌2008分期规定的MR检查比较,CT在显示病变咽旁间隙侵犯及咽后组淋巴结转移方面存在较大差异.相对于1992年分期及2002年UICC分期,鼻咽癌2008分期主要使肿瘤T、N分期上升、临床分期上升.     

鼻咽癌颅底侵犯MRI表现与p53蛋白的关系

目的 研究鼻咽癌颅底骨侵犯MRI表现与p53蛋白表达的关系.资料与方法 经病理证实的鼻咽癌150例(其中颅底骨侵犯者63例),均行鼻咽部MRI平扫加增强扫描.采用Philips 1.5 T超导磁共振仪,头部Sense线圈.应用免疫组织化学SABC法检测所有病例中的p53蛋白表达.结果 颅底骨侵犯中单一部位者16例(25.4%),47例为多处颅底骨侵犯.破坏部位最多见于斜坡,溶骨性破坏最多见(47例).骨质硬化型4例(6.3%),骨髓浸润型10例(15.9%),沿神经侵犯2例(3.2%).鼻咽癌及鼻咽黏膜慢性炎症中p53蛋白表达率的差异有极显著意义(P＜0.001).p53蛋白表达与分化程度、颅底骨质破坏相关(P＜0.001),与临床分期、颈部淋巴结转移无关.结论 MRI可作为评价鼻咽癌颅底骨侵犯首选检查方法,尤其在评价鼻咽癌早期骨髓侵犯方面MRI比CT敏感.p53在鼻咽癌发生、发展中起重要作用,p53蛋白表达与鼻咽癌分化程度、颅底侵犯有一定相关性.     

MR与PET/CT对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移诊断的对比研究

目的以鼻咽癌2008分期为标准探讨MR与PET/CT对咽后淋巴结转移诊断的差异。方法收集经病理确诊并在治疗前间隔1周内同时行MR与PET/CT检查的80例鼻咽癌患者资料进行回顾分析:MR以2008分期为标准,咽后淋巴结最大横断面的最小径≥5mm为阳性;PET/CT检查如咽后淋巴结出现异常放射性浓聚,SUV≥2.5则定为阳性。由两位经验丰富的影像医师阅片,以统一意见评定,并对两种检查方法的诊断结果进行统计学分析。结果 80例鼻咽癌患者中MR检查发现咽后淋巴结转移的有42例(占52.50%),共69枚淋巴结;PET/CT诊断为阳性的33例(占41.25%),共53枚淋巴结,McNemar卡方检验P=0.049,P<0.05提示两种检查方法对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的诊断结果差异具有统计学意义,MR优于PET/CT;而Kappa检验两者的吻合系数k=0.579,0.7>k≥0.4提示两种检查方法对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移诊断结果的吻合度一般。结论 MR对鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移的诊断在一定程度上优于PET/CT,以MR作为鼻咽癌咽后淋巴结转移和临床分期的首选检查手段是合理可行的。     

鼻咽癌颈部淋巴结转移的CT表现

目的 分析鼻咽癌颈部淋巴结转移的CT表现及特点.资料与方法 分析1991年至2006年有完整临床及CT资料且经病理证实的鼻咽癌1100例.分析颈部淋巴结的表现,并对相关资料进行统计学处理.结果 1100例中1008例(91.64%)有颈部淋巴结转移,其中双侧转移656例(59.64%).咽后组淋巴结转移737例(67%),颈上深组转移973例(88.45%),颈后三角区转移367例(33.36%).CT扫描至相应部位发现有淋巴结转移者,颈中深组为630例(71.75%),颈下深组为200例(46.73%),锁骨上区为100例(30.96%).鼻咽癌可转移至颌下、颏下及腮腺内淋巴结,本组分别为93例(8.45%)、17例(1.55%)及38例(3.45%).转移淋巴结边缘规则614例(60.91%),边缘不规则394例(39.09%),其中明显侵犯周围结构者仅占70例(6.94%).增强CT扫描病例中98.50%的淋巴结为轻、中度强化,无强化及明显强化的淋巴结分别为0.69%和0.81%.转移淋巴结中50.60%密度均匀,49.40%内部密度不均匀,有低密度区,其中95例(9.42%)的淋巴结内有大片低密度坏死区,92例(9.13%)淋巴结内呈密度均匀一致的环状低密度区,且内壁规则.结论 鼻咽癌多发生颈部淋巴结转移,以咽后组与颈静脉链淋巴结多见.淋巴结边缘规则、增强后呈轻至中度强化、密度大致均匀为鼻咽癌淋巴结转移的典型表现.     

鼻咽癌侵犯周围结构与肿瘤分期关系的MRI研究

目的 应用MRI探讨鼻咽癌侵犯周围结构的规律及其与肿瘤T分期的关系.方法 回顾性分析1573例经病理证实的鼻咽癌初诊患者,根据2008年鼻咽癌T分期,观察鼻咽癌向周围结构侵犯的MRI表现和规律.对鼻咽癌周围不同方向结构的侵犯率均采用Z检验分析.结果 鼻咽癌对周围结构的侵犯:咽颅底筋膜1299例(82.58%)、咽旁间隙1090例(69.29%)、鼻腔304例(19.33%)、口咽49例(3.12%)、颈动脉间隙514例(32.68%)、翼内肌661例(42.02%)、翼外肌210例(13.35%)、颅底骨质943例(59.95%)、颅神经630例(40.05%)、鼻窦242例(15.38%).T分期分布:T1期为242例(15.38%),T2期为288例(18.31%),T3期为410例(26.06%),T4期为633例(40.24%).鼻腔受累的病例中90.46%(275/304)合并T3以上的结构受累;口咽受累均伴有T3以上结构受累;翼内肌受累的病例中69.14%(457/661)伴有T4结构侵犯;鼻窦受累的病例中92.15%(223/242)伴有T4结构侵犯.鼻咽癌侵犯周围结构的模式为向侧方(1299例)多于向上(943例)侵犯(Z=14.025,P＜0.01);向侧方侵犯多于向下(49例)(Z=45.032,P＜0.01);向上侵犯多于向下(Z=34.301,P＜0.01);向前侵犯(304例)多于向下(Z=14.404,P＜0.01).结论 鼻咽癌侵犯周围结构的模式为向侧方侵犯多于向上;向侧方侵犯多于向下;向上侵犯多于向下;向前侵犯多于向下.     

鼻咽癌颈部淋巴结转移的磁共振成像

本文总结了32例鼻咽癌患者颈部淋巴结转移的磁共振成像(MRI)。结果表明:转移淋巴结在T_1加权像为中等信号强度,介于肌肉与脂肪之间,近似于或稍高于原发灶。区分肿瘤与脂肪组织用T_1加权像最好,而T_2加权像则有利于区分淋巴结与肌肉。MRI 尚能够显示CT 不能显示的咽后外侧淋巴结。MRI 作用在于发现临床上不能触到的深在部位的淋巴结,以及鉴别放疗后颈部纤维化与淋巴结转移。另外,当临床上发现单个或单侧淋巴结转移时,MRI 有助于进一步显示多个或双侧淋巴结转移。     

早期鼻咽癌放疗失败模式分析

目的 分析早期鼻咽癌患者放疗失败模式及其与临床因素的相关性,探讨提高早期鼻咽癌治疗效果的方法.方法 回顾性分析行单纯根治性放射治疗的早期(T1-2N0-1M0)鼻咽癌患者350例,计算其5年生存率、无局部区域复发生存率、无远处转移生存率、局部区域控制率及远处转移率;计算局部区域复发和转移的发生率,总结其放疗失败模式;分析与放疗失败相关的临床因素;将患者按T、N期分层,计算其5年无局部区域复发生存率及无远处转移生存率.结果 本组患者的5年总生存率、无局部区域复发生存率及无远处转移生存率分别为82.8%、89.1%、86.7%,5年局部区域控制率及远处转移率分别为82.6%、13.1%.T1N0、T2 N0、T1N1及T2N1期患者的5年生存率分别为95.3%、88.0%、81.3%及72.9%(P<0.05).所有患者中96例(27.4%)治疗失败:其中局部区域复发61例,远处转移46例,局部区域复发+远处转移11例.鼻腔受累、N分期及临床分期对局部区域复发率有显著影响(P<0.05),N分期和临床分期对远处转移率有显著影响(P<0.05).不同T、N分期患者的无局部区域复发生存率及无远处转移生存率具有显著性差异.结论 局部区域复发和远处转移是早期鼻咽癌治疗失败的主要模式;T1-2N1患者预后差,应采取综合治疗措施以提高疗效.     

鼻咽癌TNM分期的PET/CT表现与血清VEGF表达的关系

目的 探讨鼻咽癌TNM分期的PET/CT表现与血清促血管内皮生长因子(VEGF)表达的关系. 资料与方法 搜集46例鼻咽癌患者首次放疗前行PET/CT检查的资料,用酶联免疫夹心法(ELISA)检测血清VEGF 的表达,并分析T分期、淋巴结及远处转移的PET/CT表现与VEGF表达的关系. 结果 46例中,经PET/CT分析T1期11例、T2期9例、T3期18例、T4期8例;颈部淋巴结转移12例,咽后外侧淋巴结转移5例.M0期37例,M1期 9例.鼻咽癌的血清VEGF表达的水平为(502.63±22.06) ng/l, 与正常组比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).T1、T2、T3期血清VEGF表达差异无统计学意义.颈部淋巴结转移组血清VEGF表达水平为(527.61±7.11) ng/l,与非转移组之间的差异有统计学意义(t=15.36,P<0.05);远处转移组血清VEGF表达水平为(522.00±1.54) ng/l,与非远处转移组之间的差异有统计学意义(t=30.30,P<0.05). 结论 鼻咽癌患者有较高的血清VEGF表达; VEGF 的表达水平与淋巴结发生转移及远处转移相关;VEGF的表达水平随着TNM分期升高有增强的趋势.     

Facial lymphadenopathy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma

AIMS: This paper reports the findings of facial nodal metastasis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: The film records of 1916 patients with histologically confirmed NPC seen over a 5-year period were reviewed. RESULTS: Eight facial nodes were demonstrated in three (0.2%) patients. There were three buccinator, two malar, two infraorbital and one mandibular nodes. CONCLUSION: Facial nodal metastasis in NPC is unusual, but may be seen at presentation or during recurrence.     

A retrospective comparison between different stage classifications for nasopharyngeal carcinoma

From 1984 to 1987, 659 patients with untreated nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were investigated by computed tomography of the nasopharynx and skull base, and fibreoptic nasopharyngoscopy. Thirty-one patients presenting with distant metastasis were treated palliatively; 628 were treated with intent to cure. Prospective staging was performed for the Ho's classification but since all T- and N-stage data required for staging according to the Huang's, the Changsha and the UICC classifications were recorded and stored in a computer database, retrospective staging according to these classifications could be accurately performed. Ho's classification was concluded to be the best in view of highly significant differences between the overall stages in survival and between N-stages in distant metastasis. The number of prognostically distinct overall stages and N-stages was greatest for Ho's classification. Huang's T-stage classification was superior, however, because it emphasized the significant adverse effect on local tumour control of cranial nerve(s) palsy (Tn) and intracranial tumour extension (Tc). Changsha and UICC classifications were demonstrably less powerful in predicting NPC prognosis. Multiple sites of involvement within the nasopharynx by NPC had no adverse influence on local tumour control. The grouping together of both soft-tissue and skull-base lesions into Changsha's T3 has been shown to be unjustified because of significant differences in local failure.     

Whole-body 18F-FDG PET in recurrent or metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

The aim of this retrospective study was to evaluate the sensitivity and prognostic significance of whole-body (18)F-FDG PET for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients for whom there was a suspicion of recurrence or metastasis by conventional radiologic or clinical findings during their follow-up examinations. METHODS: Whole-body (18)F-FDG PET examinations were performed on 64 Taiwanese NPC patients (14 female, 50 male; mean age +/- SD, 45.8 +/- 13.0 y; age range, 16-75 y) 4-70 mo (mean +/- SD, 14.1 +/- 13.5 mo) after radiotherapy or induction chemotherapy followed by concurrent chemoradiotherapy from February 1997 to May 2001. The accuracy of (18)F-FDG PET detection for each patient was determined by the histopathologic results or other clinical evidence. RESULTS: The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of (18)F-FDG PET images in the diagnosis of NPC recurrence or metastases and secondary primary cancers were 92%, 90%, 92%, 90%, and 91%, respectively. Furthermore, the presence of (18)F-FDG hypermetabolism was highly correlated with the survival time of NPC patients. CONCLUSION: Whole-body (18)F-FDG PET is a sensitive follow-up diagnostic tool for the evaluation of NPC recurrences and metastases. It is also an effective prognostic indicator for NPC patients. To determine the optimized utilization of (18)F-FDG PET in the follow-up for NPC patients, further cost-effectiveness analysis of (18)F-FDG PET in combination with conventional management is necessary.     

原发鼻咽淋巴瘤与鼻咽癌的18F-FDG PET/CT诊断与鉴别

目的探讨18F-FDG PET/CT在鉴别诊断原发鼻咽淋巴瘤（PNL）与鼻咽癌（NPC）中的价值。 方法回顾性分析经病理证实、检查前未经过肿瘤治疗的33例PNL和71例NPC患者的PET/CT资料,对鼻咽部病变形态、范围、周围浸润、体积、SUV_max及淋巴结浸润或转移情况进行对比分析,另单独选取PNL中的弥漫性大B细胞淋巴瘤（DLBCL）与NPC患者的鼻咽肿块体积、SUV_max进行比较。应用SPSS13.0软件进行独立样本t检验及四格表χ2检验。 结果33例PNL患者中20例病变呈弥漫性浸润鼻咽全壁（双侧对称14例、双侧不对称6例）,未完全浸润全壁13例（单侧7例、双侧6例）;71例NPC患者中10例呈弥漫性浸润鼻咽全壁（双侧对称4例、双侧不对称6例）,未完全浸润全壁61例（单侧39例、双侧22例）;PNL、NPC组累及全壁与不全、单侧与双侧、对称与不对称间差异均有统计学意义（χ2=23.75、10.38、16.74,均P < 0.001）。PNL、NPC病变患者局限于鼻咽壁者分别有26、17例,累及深部结构者分别有7、54例,两者间差异有统计学意义（χ2=27.94,P < 0.001）。PNL、NPC患者中,病变凸入鼻后孔的分别有21、24例,两者之间的差异有统计学意义（χ2=8.17,P < 0.05）。PNL、DLBCL和NPC患者鼻咽肿块体积分别为（3.70±5.53）×104、（5.05±6.89）×104、（2.06±2.31）×104 mm3,PNL、DLBCL患者与NPC患者鼻咽肿块体积之间的差异均无统计学意义（t=1.63、1.85,均P>0.05）。PNL、DLBCL、NPC患者肿块SUV_max分别为12.00±6.34、14.26±6.42、10.09±4.41,PNL患者与NPC患者间差异无统计学意义（t=1.55,P>0.05）,DLBCL患者与NPC患者间差异有统计学意义（t=2.67,P < 0.05）。PNL患者中26例伴有咽旁或颈部淋巴结浸润,NPC患者中51例伴有咽旁或颈部淋巴结转移,淋巴结SUV_max、最大者长径、短径及平均直径间差异均无统计学意义（t=0.79、1.37、2.03、1.71,均P>0.05）。26例伴有咽旁或颈部淋巴结浸润的PNL患者中3例可见轻度坏死,51例伴有咽旁或颈部淋巴结转移的NPC患者中31例可见坏死,两者差异有统计学意义（χ2=16.94,P < 0.001）。26例伴有咽旁或颈部淋巴结浸润的PNL患者中淋巴结融合5例,51例伴有咽旁或颈部淋巴结转移的NPC患者中淋巴结融合6例,两者间的差异无统计学意义（χ2=0.78,P>0.05）。 结论18F-FDG PET/CT在PNL及NPC鉴别诊断中具有一定价值。PET/CT主要通过病变形态、范围、深部结构浸润、淋巴结坏死等方面进行鉴别;不同病理亚型淋巴瘤可高于或低于NPC代谢,DLBCL代谢活性高于NPC;病变体积不能作为主要的鉴别诊断依据。     

甲状腺手术暴露与非暴露术式对喉返神经的保护作用比较

 目的 探讨甲状腺手术暴露与非暴露术式对喉返神经的保护作用。方法 采用前瞻性队列研究的方法, 根据是否暴露将我科行甲状腺手术327例分为喉返神经暴露组与非暴露组。主要终点事件为喉返神经损伤的发生率, 随访至术后6个月。结果 完整随访307例。喉返神经损伤发生率3.2%。按组分析, 喉返神经暴露组, 喉返神经损伤率3.0%, 其中永久性损伤1例(0.61%), 暂时性损伤4例(2.42%);喉返神经非暴露组, 喉返神经损伤率3.5%, 其中永久性损伤1例(0.70%), 暂时性损伤4例(2.82%)。两组比较, 喉返神经损伤发生率差异无统计学意义。结论 常规暴露喉返神经并不增加损伤机会, 鉴于腺叶切除在甲状腺手术中的作用越来越重要, 应考虑常规显露喉返神经。     

鼻咽癌患者血清胸苷激酶-1水平及其临床意义

目的探讨鼻咽癌(NPC)患者血清中胸苷激酶-1(TK-1)水平及其临床意义。方法纳入初治NPC患者80例为NPC组,同时设置慢性鼻咽炎组(n=38)及健康对照组(n=32)。收集患者临床资料,治疗前检测TK-1水平及EBV DNA载量,治疗后6个月检测TK-1水平,并定期随访肿瘤复发及转移情况,记录总体生存率。结果 NPC组患者TK-1水平较其他两组高(P<0.01)。不同临床分期患者TK-1由高到低依次为Ⅳ、Ⅲ、Ⅱ、Ⅰ期。NPC患者的TK-1与EBV DNA(r=0.579,P<0.01)及临床分期(rs=0.629,P<0.01)均呈正相关。NPC患者治疗6个月后TK-1显著下降,初始TK-1较高,NPC患者总体生存率更低。结论 NPC患者血清TK-1显著升高,与临床分期及EBV DNA载量一致。初始高TK-1水平提示预后较差。     

Are dual-phase 18F-FDG PET scans necessary in nasopharyngeal carcinoma to assess the primary tumour and loco-regional nodes?

Purpose This prospective study aimed to investigate the efficacy of dual-phase positron emission tomography (PET) in evaluating the loco-regional status of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).Methods Eighty-four patients with newly diagnosed NPC and a fasting serum glucose level of <200 mg/dl were enrolled. [¹⁸F]fluoro-2-deoxy-D-glucose (¹⁸F-FDG) PET studies (at 40 min and 3 h after injection of 370 MBq ¹⁸F-FDG) and head and neck magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) were performed within 1 week. Diagnostic criteria for NPC comprised the histopathological findings, the joint judgments of the research team and the post-treatment outcome. Each lesions maximum standardised uptake value (SUV) and retention index were obtained. SUV data were evaluated using a paired t test. Receiver operating characteristic curves and calculation of the area under the curve (AUC) determined the discriminative power.Results ¹⁸F-FDG PET was significantly superior to MRI in identifying lower neck NPC nodal metastasis (AUC: 1 vs 0. 972, P=0.046) and overall loco-regional metastases (AUC: 0.985 vs 0.958, P=0.036). However, ¹⁸F-FDG PET was similar to MRI in detecting primary tumour, as well as retropharyngeal, upper neck and supraclavicular nodal metastases. There was no significant difference between early phase (40 min) and delayed phase (3 h) ¹⁸F-FDG PET in the detection of primary tumours (accuracy: 100% vs 100%) or loco-regional nodal metastasis (AUC: 0.984 vs 0.985, P=0.834).Conclusion ¹⁸F-FDG PET is superior to MRI in identifying lower neck nodal metastasis of NPC. Additional 3-h ¹⁸F-FDG PET contributes no further information in the detection of primary tumours or loco-regional metastatic nodes in untreated NPC patients.     

Computed tomography in the management of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is one of the common cancers in China. According to mass surveys, the incidence of NPC in some areas of Guangdong is 39.84/100,000. Due to its high contrast resolution CT has the ability to show not only superficial abnormality but also deep infiltration of the fasciae and muscles of the parapharyngeal region. Computed tomography scanning was performed on more than 1000 patients with NPC in the Tumour Hospital in the 2 years from 1984 to 1986. The role of CT scanning in NPC can be summarised as: (1) detection of primary lesions not accessible to pharyngoscopy; (2) determination of the extent of disease; (3) clinical staging; (4) radiotherapy planning; (5) follow up evaluation; (6) the differentiation of recurrence and radiation damage to the brain; and (7) the demonstration of distant metastasis. In contrast to the concept of jugular chain metastasis via the postero-lateral pharyngeal lymph nodes, our material has demonstrated that the lesion most probably spreads to the carotid sheath area directly from the pharyngeal lesion. The tendency of submucosal spread of NPC is emphasised.     

Clinical significance of cranial nerve deficit in the therapy of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The results of radiation treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) have recently been improved, but the prognosis remains relatively poor in cases with cranial nerve (CN) involvement. A total of 109 cases with histologically-proven NPC and cranial nerve involvement treated during 1979-1985 were reviewed and analysed. Definitive radiotherapy (RT) was given to patients with a high upper margin of the RT field at 2.5 cm above the base of the skull to a total dose of 70.2 Gy/39 fractions/8 weeks, with two applications of intranasopharyngeal brachytherapy. There were 37 cases (34%) in Group I (upward invasion only) and 72 cases (66%) in Group II (bidirectional invasion). Abducens, trigeminal, oculomotor and facial were the commonly involved nerves. Headache was the major symptom at diagnosis and was present in 82.6% of the patients, significantly higher than in general NPC cases (p less than 0.005). Fifty per cent (31/62) achieved complete response to definitive RT, but it did not correlate well with survival rate. The residual neurological deficit of each CN ranged from 31 to 57%. The actuarial 5-year survival rates of Groups I and II were similar in spite of neck lymph node metastasis in Group II (33% (I) compared with 24% (II); p greater than 0.05). Cases with single CN deficit did not show better results than those with multiple CN involvements. Five-year survivors were seen only in those who received a complete course of definitive RT.     

The value of 18F-FDG PET in the detection of stage M0 carcinoma of the nasopharynx.

Distant metastasis is an important issue for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). The potential value of PET using 18F-FDG has not been well defined. This prospective study investigated the impact of 18F-FDG PET in NPC patients with stage M0 disease. METHODS: From April 2001 to June 2003, 140 NPC patients (118 primary and 22 primary recurrent) with stage M0 (negative results from chest radiography, liver sonography, and whole-body bone scanning) underwent 18F-FDG PET to check for distant metastases. Confirmatory MRI or CT was performed if any abnormal 18F-FDG uptake was found at distant sites. The distant lesion was confirmed pathologically, if feasible, and was followed up clinically and with imaging for at least 6 mo. RESULTS: 18F-FDG PET detected 26 true-positive metastatic sites in 18 (12.9%) of the 140 patients, among whom 14 had primary and 4 had recurrent tumors. The patient-based sensitivity and specificity of 18F-FDG PET for distant metastases were 100% and 86.9%, respectively. Mediastinal lymph nodes (n = 8) were the most common sites, followed by lung, liver, and bone (n = 5 each) and by other lymph nodes (n = 3). In patients with primary tumors, advanced nodal status (N2-3) was a statistically significant variable associated with development of distant metastases (P = 0.044). For recurrent NPC, neither age, sex, initial tumor stage, grade of differentiation, nor nodal stage showed a statistically significant difference between patients with and patients without distant metastases. CONCLUSION: 18F-FDG PET is valuable in avoiding aggressive locoregional radiotherapy in some NPC patients by the revelation of occult distant metastases, especially in patients with primary disease at a nodal stage of N2-3.