紫杉醇、顺铂及卡培他滨联合放疗治疗晚期鼻咽癌的疗效观察

目的 探讨紫杉醇、顺铂及卡培他滨方案 （TPX）联合放疗治疗晚期鼻咽癌的疗效及安全性。方法 2002年2月至2007年9月收治57例Ⅲ、ⅣA期鼻咽癌患者,先予直线加速器常规放疗,鼻咽原发灶2Gy／f,每周5次,DT 70Gy,7周完成。放疗后2周,29例给予TPX方案化疗（紫杉醇175mg／m²静滴,d₁;顺铂 25mg／m²静滴,d₁～d₃;卡培他滨1.5g／m²口服,d₁～d₁₄,3周为1周期）;另28例给予TP方案化疗（紫杉醇175mg／m² 静滴,d₁;顺铂25mg／m²静滴,d₁～d₃,3周为1周期）。两组均化疗4周期。化疗完成后对两组的近期疗效和总生存期进行比较。结果 TPX组和TP组的总有效率（RR）分别为96.5％和92.9％（P＞0.05）;3年生存率分别为82.8％和57.1％（P＜0.05）;3年远处转移率分别为 24.1％和50.0％ （P＜0.05）;PTX组骨髓抑制、胃肠道反应、神经毒性及肝肾功损害等毒副反应与TP组相近（P＞0.05）,手足综合征高于TP组（P＜0.05）。结论 TPX方案较TP方案联合放疗能提高晚期鼻咽癌的生存率,减少远处转移,且化疗毒副反应可以耐受。     

诱导化疗和放射治疗配合治疗晚期鼻咽癌

目的评价化放结合和单独放疗治疗局部晚期鼻咽癌的近期疗效和毒副作用.方法化放组先诱导化疗二疗程后放疗,化疗用顺铂10mg,第1～3天,5-Fu 750mg,第1～3天,静脉点滴,第10天重复,化疗后一周开始放疗,单放组单独放疗.结果化放组肿瘤消退率为90%,单放组为70%,有明显差异;化放组毒副作用与单放组无显著差异.结论化放结合明显提高了肿瘤的消退率,但远期疗效还有待于进一步随诊.     

Adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Long-term results of a phase 3 multicentre randomised controlled trial

Aim of the studyPrevious results from our trial showed that adjuvant cisplatin and fluorouracil chemotherapy did not significantly improve survival after concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) at 2 years. Here, we present the data of long-term survival and late toxicities to further assess the ultimate therapeutic index of adjuvant chemotherapy (AC).MethodsPatients with stage III–IVB (except T3-4N0) NPC were randomly assigned to receive CCRT plus AC or CCRT only at seven institutions in China. Patients in both groups received cisplatin 40 mg/m² weekly up to 7 weeks concurrently with radiotherapy. The CCRT plus AC group subsequently received adjuvant cisplatin 80 mg/m² and fluorouracil 800 mg/m²/d for 120 h every 4 weeks for three cycles. The primary end-point was failure-free survival.ResultsTwo hundred and fifty-one patients were randomised to the CCRT plus AC group and 257 to the CCRT only group. After a median follow-up of 68.4 months, estimated 5-year failure-free survival rate was 75% in the CCRT plus AC group and 71% in the CCRT only group (hazard ratio 0.88, 95% confidence interval 0.64–1.22; p = 0.45). 66 (27%) of 249 patients in the CCRT plus AC group and 53 (21%) of 254 patients in the CCRT only group developed one or more late grade 3–4 toxicities (p = 0.14).ConclusionAdjuvant cisplatin and fluorouracil chemotherapy still failed to demonstrate significant survival benefit after CCRT in locoregionally advanced NPC based on the long-term follow-up data, and addition of adjuvant cisplatin and fluorouracil did not significantly increase late toxicities.Registration numberNCT00677118.     

局部晚期鼻咽癌放射治疗联合化疗的研究进展

临床Ⅲ ～Ⅳ期鼻咽癌占鼻咽癌的的大多数,根治性放疗联合化疗的综合治疗是局部晚期鼻咽癌治疗的基石,现有的证据表明,同步放化疗是中国局部晚期鼻咽癌标准治疗方法,但放化疗的最佳组合方案仍未确定。本文就这方面的研究进展作一综述。     

诱导化疗加放射综合治疗局部晚期鼻咽癌的临床分析

目的：探讨诱导化疗对局部晚期鼻咽癌放疗疗效的影响,方法：96例Ⅲ、Ⅳ期鼻咽癌随机分为两组（化疗组及单放组）,每组48例,放疗采用^60Co机或直线加速器照射鼻咽及颈部,鼻咽剂量DT66－76Gy／6．5－7．5周,颈部剂量DT50－70Gy／5－7周。诱导化疗采用DDP＋5－FU方案。结果：化疗组一、三、五年生存率分别为为94．2％、72．9％、65．75;单放组分别为89．1％、56．8％、46．85,有显著性差异（P＜0．05）。化疗组一、三、五年局控率各为89．2％、71．4％、63．9％;单放组各为82．5％（50．1％、44．2％）,有显著性差异（P＜0．05）。化疗组远处转移率为为20．95,单放组为41．75,两组比较有显著性差异（P＜0．05）。结论：诱导化疗能提高局部晚期鼻咽癌放疗的局控率及生存率,降低远处转移。     

Preliminary results of a prospective randomized trial comparing concurrent chemoradiotherapy plus adjuvant chemotherapy with radiotherapy alone in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma in endemic regions of china

PURPOSE: A prospective randomized trial was performed to evaluate the efficacy of concurrent chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in endemic regions of China. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between July 2002 and September 2005, 316 eligible patients were randomly assigned to receive either radiotherapy alone (RT) or chemoradiotherapy concurrent with adjuvant chemotherapy (CRT). All patients received 70 Gy in 7 weeks using standard RT portals and techniques. The CRT patients were given concurrent cisplatin (40 mg/m(2) on Day 1) weekly during RT, followed by cisplatin (80 mg/m(2) on Day 1) and fluorouracil (800 mg/m(2) on Days 1-5) every 4 weeks (Weeks 5, 9, and 13) for three cycles after completion of RT. All patients were analyzed by intent-to-treat analysis. RESULTS: The two groups were well-balanced in all prognostic factors and RT parameters. The CRT group experienced significantly more acute toxicity (62.6% vs. 32%, p = 0.000). A total of 107 patients (68%) and 97 patients (61%) completed all cycles of concurrent chemotherapy and adjuvant chemotherapy, with a median follow-up time of 29 months. The 2-year overall survival rate, failure-free survival rate, distant failure-free survival rate, and locoregional failure-free survival rate for the CRT and RT groups were 89.8% vs. 79.7% (p = 0.003), 84.6% vs. 72.5% (p = 0.001), 86.5% vs. 78.7% (p = 0.024), and 98.0% vs. 91.9% (p = 0.007), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: This trial demonstrated the significant survival benefits of concurrent chemotherapy plus adjuvant chemotherapy in patients with locoregionally advanced NPC in endemic regions of China.     

Induction chemotherapy forlocoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

The value of adding induction chemotherapy (IC) to concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) for the treatment of locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) remains unclear. In our recent article entitled “Induction chemotherapy plus concurrent chemoradiotherapy versus concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a phase 3, multicentre, randomised controlled trial” published in theLancet Oncology, we reported the results of a phase III, multicenter, randomized controlled trial comparing cisplatin, 5?lfuo?rouracil, and docetaxel (TPF) IC plus CCRT versus CCRT alone in patients with T3?4N1/TxN2?3M0 NPC (ClinicalTrials.gov registration number NCT01245959). The IC?plus?CCRT group showed signiifcantly higher 3?year failure?free survival, overall survival, and distant failure?free survival rates than the CCRT?alone group, with an acceptable toxicity proifle. Our study suggests that adding TPF IC to CCRT could increase survival rates and reduce distant failure in patients with locoregionally advanced NPC. However, long?term follow?up is required to assess the eventual effcacy and toxicity of this strategy, and a more accurate method to determine prognosis is needed to enable better tailoring of treatment strategy for individual patients.     

PPF方案化疗加放疗治疗中晚期鼻咽癌近期疗效观察

目的 :观察PPF方案 (顺铂、平阳霉素和 5 氟脲嘧啶 )联合化疗加放疗治疗Ⅲ、Ⅳ期鼻咽癌的近期疗效。方法 :46例Ⅲ、Ⅳ期鼻咽癌患者随机分成两组 ,观察组 2 3例采用放疗加同步联合化疗 ;对照组 2 3例单纯放疗。结果 :观察组治疗后6个月内鼻咽肿物完全消退率为 86 96 %(2 0 / 2 3) ,颈部淋巴结转移灶完全消退率为 94 74%(18/ 19) ,对照组分别为 6 0 86 %(14/ 2 3)和 6 1 90 %(13/ 2 1) ,经统计学检验差异具有显著性意义 (P <0 0 5 ) ,而毒副作用相似。结论 :放疗同步进行化疗能提高Ⅲ、Ⅳ期鼻咽癌近期疗效。     

Locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Current and emerging treatment strategies

Although nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a widespread malignant tumor, it is particularly frequent in Southeast Asia. Although T1 tumors can be effectively controlled with exclusive radiotherapy, this treatment modality is insufficient for most NPC patients, who present with locally advanced disease at diagnosis. In fact, for stages ranging from T2b N0 to T4 N3, definitive scientific evidence supports the use of concurrent platinum-based chemotherapy with standard external beam radiotherapy. This treatment approach has shown a statistically significant advantage in terms of overall survival, with respect to radiotherapy alone. Several trials have also investigated the use of neoadjuvant and adjuvant chemotherapy in combination with radiotherapy or chemo-radiotherapy. Platinum compounds, anthracyclines and taxanes are among the chemotherapy agents employed. This review focuses on the clinical results obtained in the field of adjuvant/concurrent/neoadjuvant chemotherapy for locally advanced NPC, for which exclusive concurrent chemo-radiotherapy currently represents the standard treatment approach.     

Ⅲ、Ⅳa期鼻咽癌患者放疗同期化疗加辅助化疗的疗效

背景与目的:较多研究认为放疗前诱导化疗未能提高中晚期鼻咽癌的生存率,对放疗后的辅助化疗能否提高中晚期鼻咽癌的生存率有争议.有作者报道同期放化疗能提高中晚期鼻咽癌患者的疗效.本研究着重探讨放疗同期化疗加辅助化疗治疗Ⅲ、Ⅳa期鼻咽癌的疗效.方法:将80例Ⅲ、Ⅳa期鼻咽癌患者随机分为放疗同期化疗加辅助化疗组(研究组)及单纯放疗组(对照组),每组各40例.研究组于放疗第一周开始使用同期化疗,顺铂25 mg/m2静脉滴注,每周一次,连用6周.辅助化疗于放疗结束后一个月开始,顺铂25 mg/m2,静脉滴注,第1～3天;氟尿嘧啶1000 mg/m2,静脉滴注,第1～3天.每月一次,连用3次.放疗使用常规分割放疗,鼻咽部总剂量70Gy.对照组放疗方法与放疗加化疗组相同,不使用化疗.生存率采用Kaplan-Meier法,生存期的差别比较用log-rank检验,计数资料组间差异用卡方检验.结果:治疗后,研究组和对照组分别有34例和32例鼻咽肿瘤达到CR者(x2=0.35,P＞0.05);颈部淋巴结达到CR者分别为37例和30例(x2=4.50,P＜0.05).研究组1、3、5年生存率分别为92.7%、78.6%、64.2%,对照组1、3、5年生存率分别为81.2%、52.7%、42.3%,两组比较差异有显著性(P＜0.01).研究组1、3、5年无瘤生存率分别为91.2%、76.7%、63.5%,对照组1、3、5年无瘤生存率分别为78.2%、51.9%、40.3%,两组比较差异有显著性(P＜0.01).5年累积远处转移发生率研究组为15.0%,对照组为35.0%,两组比较差异有显著性(x2=4.27,P＜0.05).Ⅲ度口腔粘膜炎发生率研究组为75.0%,对照组为25.0%(x2=20.00,P＜0.01).结论:同期加辅助化疗联合放疗较单纯放疗提高了Ⅲ、Ⅳa期鼻咽癌的颈部淋巴结完全缓解率以及1、3、5年生存率和无瘤生存率,显著降低了远处转移的发生率,但增加了Ⅲ度口腔粘膜炎的发生率.     

Intervention chemotherapy in comprehensive treatment of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma

　Objective To study the use of interventional chemotherapy in comprehensive treatment for advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods Interventional chemotherapy with multi-drugs including cisplatin (DDP) 100 mg, 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) 1000 mg and bleomycin (BLM) 16 mg was used to treat 30 cases with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma before radiotherapy. 50 cases that received radiotherapy alone were used as a control group. The methods, time and dose schedule of radiotherapy were similar in the two groups. Results The primary lesions in 16 cases and the cervical lymph nodes in 12 cases were reduced in size after interventional chemotherapy. Radiation doses of those in complete response in their primary lesion and cervical lymph nodes were lower than that of the control group (P<0.05). The complete response rate of study group was 83.3% and that of control group was 72.0% (P<0.05). Conclusion Interventional chemotherapy plus radiotherapy is a valuable treatment method in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.     

局部晚期鼻咽癌放疗与化疗综合治疗的生存分析

目的探讨局部晚期鼻咽癌放化综合治疗疗效和毒副反应。方法回顾性分析77例经病理证实鼻咽癌患者。年龄17～74岁,男:女=3.8:1。1992年福州分期T1、12、T3、T4期分别为11、33、22、11例,N0、N1、N2、N3期分别为7、15、44、11例。临床分期Ⅲ期56例,ⅣA期21例。所有患者放疗前接受诱导化疗1～3个疗程:顺铂20 mg/m~2,氟尿嘧啶500 mg/m~2,其中62例应用甲酰四氢叶酸钙100 mg/m~2,均为第1～3天,2周后重复。化疗结束后2周内放疗:鼻咽原发病灶均采用~(60)Co照射1.8～2.0 Gy/次,总剂量64～78 Gy;57例采用面颈联合野 耳前野 鼻前野治疗,20例采用耳前野 鼻前野照射,9例采用耳后野加量6～8 Gy分3～4次,13例给予颅底小野补量4～8 Gy分2～4次;颈部放射源用~(60)Co、180 kV X线和9 MeV电子束,N0期患者仅照射上颈部,有颈部转移者照射全颈,预防剂量50～55 Gy,根治剂量60～68 Gy;1例外照射结束后因鼻咽腔内肿瘤残留,给予后装治疗2次,间隔1周,10 Gy/次)。放疗结束后3周给予辅助化疗:顺铂20 mg/m~2,氟尿嘧啶500 mg/m~2,甲酰四氢叶酸钙100 mg/m~2,均为第1～3天,3周后重复,共2～4疗程。结果中位随访60个月,5年总生存率、无瘤生存率、无复发生存率、无远处转移生存率分别为68%、58%、81、75%。≥4个化疗周期与≤3个化疗周期生存曲线比较差异无统计学意义(X~2=0.05,P=0.831)。主要急性反应有血液学毒性:1级11例,2级7例,3级2例;黏膜炎:2级33例,3级20例,4级1例;消化道反应:1级21例,2级11例,3级1例;皮肤反应:2级30例,3级4例。晚期损伤:1例发生放射性脑损伤,无其他颅神经损伤发生;张口困难轻度4例,中度1例;听力减退轻度31例,中度7例,严重1例。化疗周期≥4个与≤3个的听力损伤差异有统计学意义(z=2.06,P=0.039)。绝大多数放疗结束后都有程度不等的口干,随访中都明显好转,至末次随访时轻度口干13例,中度3例。结论以顺铂和氟尿嘧啶为基础的诱导化疗 放疗 辅助化疗局部晚期鼻咽癌的疗效较单纯放疗无明显提高,但可能加重患者听力的晚期损伤。     

DF方案加放疗治疗晚期鼻咽癌疗效观察

 目的　观察DF方案加放疗治疗晚期鼻咽癌的临床疗效。方法　 1994年 3月至 1997年 10月 ,对36例Ⅲ、Ⅳa期鼻咽癌患者治疗用DF方案化疗加放疗 ,并与同期行单纯放疗的 2 8例患者进行对比分析。结果　化放组和单放组鼻咽肿瘤完全消退率分别为 91.7%和 85 .7% (P >0 .0 5 ) ;颈部转移淋巴结完全消退率分别为 6 3.9%和 5 0 % (P >0 .0 5 ) ;两组 3年生存率分别为 6 3.9%和 4 6 .4 % (P >0 .0 5 ) ;5年生存率分别为 6 1.1%和35 .7% (P <0 .0 5 ) ;5年鼻咽部肿瘤控制率分别为 6 6 .7%和 39.3% (P <0 .0 5 ) ;5年发生远处转移率分别为 2 5 %和 5 0 % (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　DF方案化疗和尽早放疗的综合治疗能提高晚期鼻咽癌生存率 ,局控率和减少远处转移     

多西他赛同步放疗与DF方案同步放疗治疗晚期鼻咽癌的临床研究

【摘要】目的 探讨多西他赛（DOC）同步放疗与顺铂（DDP）联合氟尿嘧啶（5-FU）同步放疗治疗晚期鼻咽癌的近期疗效和毒副反应。方法 将66例晚期鼻咽癌患者分为DOC组和DF组,每组各33例。DOC组具体为：DOC 25mg／m2静滴,每周1次,共7次。DF组具体为：DDP 25mg／m2静滴,d1～d3;5-FU 550mg／m2静推,d1～d5,21天为1周期,共2个周期。放射治疗采用6MV X线和9MeV电子线（双颈分野）外照射,鼻咽靶区剂量68～72Gy／6.8～7.2周。根据实体瘤疗效评价标准RECIST 1. 1评价近期疗效并计算有效率（RR）,同时采用NCI CTC 3.0标准评价毒副反应。结果 66例患者均可评价疗效。DOC组获CR 20例、PR 10例、SD 3例,RR为90.9％;DF组获CR 21例、PR 10例、SD 2例,RR为93.9％。两组RR的差异无统计学意义（P＞0.05）。两组主要毒副反应包括中性粒细胞减少、胃肠道反应、放射性皮炎及口腔黏膜炎。DF组中性粒细胞减少和口腔黏膜炎的发生率明显高于DOC组（P＜0.05）。结论 DOC同步放疗治疗晚期鼻咽癌的近期疗效好,且毒副作用小,可作为晚期鼻咽癌治疗的新选择。     

神龙液合并化疗,放射治疗晚期鼻咽癌

目的观察神龙液合并化疗、放射治疗晚期鼻咽癌的疗效及毒副反应。方法从1991年3月至1997年2月,对70例晚期鼻咽癌患者进行随机对照研究,35例采用神龙液加化疗并放射治疗（三联组）,35例采用单纯放射治疗（对照组）。结果治疗结束时,颈淋巴结消退率三联组为71．43％,对照组为45．71％（P＜0．05）,2年生存率三联组为83．53％,对照组为59．23％（P＜0．05）。结论研究提示中西医结合治疗晚期鼻咽癌是可取的,神龙液可增加肿瘤对放化疗敏感性及降低放化疗的毒副作用,不增加血行转移。     

鼻咽癌放疗前行介入灌注化疗的临床疗效分析

目的探讨在鼻咽癌放疗前行经导管动脉灌注化疗的临床应用价值.方法 43例鼻咽癌患者经颌内动脉和咽升动脉灌注化疗药物进行治疗,主要药物为顺铂、5-Fu和平阳霉素.术后一周常规放疗.以同期行单纯放疗的65例鼻咽癌患者作为对照组.结果治疗组与对照组完全缓解率分别为74.41%和60.0%.结论鼻咽癌放疗前行经导管动脉灌注化疗的安全、有效.     

Improvement of survival after addition of induction chemotherapy to radiotherapy in patients with early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Subgroup analysis of two Phase III trials

PURPOSE: Induction chemotherapy has not been shown to improve survival in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in Phase III trials. To evaluate the effect of induction chemotherapy in NPC further, we performed subgroup analysis of two Phase III trials according to the T and N stage. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Data from two phase III trials comparing cisplatin/epirubicin or cisplatin/bleomycin/5-fluorouracil followed by radiotherapy (RT) vs. RT alone in NPC were pooled together for analysis. Patients were stratified into four subgroups according to the 1997 American Joint Committee on Cancer T and N stage: T1-T2N0-N1, Group 1 (early-stage disease); T1-T2N2-N3, Group 2 (advanced N disease); T3-T4N0-N1, Group 3 (advanced T stage); and T3-T4N2-N3, Group 4 (advanced T and N disease). Group 1 consisted entirely of patients with Stage IIB disease. A total of 784 patients were included for analysis on an intent-to-treat basis. The median follow-up for the surviving patients was 67 months. RESULTS: No significant differences in overall survival, locoregional failure-free, or distant metastasis-free rates were observed between the combined and RT arms in Groups 2 to 4. Significant differences in the overall survival and distant metastasis-free rates were observed only in Group 1, favoring the combined chemotherapy and RT arm. The 5-year overall survival rate was 79% in the combined arm and 67% in the RT-alone arm (p = 0.048). The corresponding 5-year distant metastasis-free rates were 86% and 74% (p = 0.0053). CONCLUSIONS: Our results have shown that patients in Group 1, with early-stage NPC treated by RT alone, had relatively poor survival because of distant metastases. The observation of improved outcomes in this subgroup after the addition of induction chemotherapy has not been previously reported and warrants additional investigation.     

紫杉醇和顺铂新辅助化疗联合放疗治疗局部晚期鼻咽癌疗效观察

目的研究紫杉醇加顺铂方案(TP)新辅助化疗联合放疗治疗晚期鼻咽癌的临床疗效。方法1998年1月至2001年1月57例病理确诊为鼻咽癌,根据福州1992年分期标准,57例均为Ⅲ、Ⅳa期的初治患者,随机分为综合组27例,单放组30例。综合组行TP方案新辅助化疗2个疗程后放疗。结果综合组与单放组鼻咽全消率分别为96.3%和83.0%(P<0.05),颈部淋巴结全消率分别为100%和93.3%(P>0.05)。综合组胃肠道反应、口腔黏膜反应、皮肤反应及白细胞减少等毒副反应均强于单放组,但差异无显著性(P>0.05)。综合组5年生存率(59.3%)与单放组(43.3%)相比差异无显著性(P>0.05)。结论TP方案新辅助化疗联合放疗可提高肿瘤局控率,未能提高晚期鼻咽癌生存率。     

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy followed by adjuvant chemotherapy compared with concurrent chemoradiotherapy alone for the treatment of locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a retrospective controlled study

Objective

We evaluated the survival benefit of providing concurrent chemoradiotherapy (ccrt) plus adjuvant chemotherapy compared with ccrt alone to patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods

This retrospective study included 130 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with ccrt plus adjuvant chemotherapy from June 2005 to December 2010. Another 130 patients treated with ccrt alone during the same period were matched on age, sex, World Health Organization histology, T stage, N stage, and technology used for radiotherapy. The endpoints included overall survival, locoregional failure-free survival, distant metastasis failure-free survival, and failure-free survival.

Results

At a mean follow-up of 42.1 months (range: 8–85 months), the observed hazard ratios for the group receiving ccrt plus adjuvant chemotherapy compared with the group receiving ccrt alone were: for overall survival, 0.77 [95% confidence interval (ci): 0.37 to 1.57]; for locoregional failure-free survival, 1.00 (95% ci: 0.37 to 2.71); for distant metastasis failure-free survival, 1.15 (95% ci: 0.56 to 2.37); and for failure-free survival, 1.26 (95% ci: 0.69 to 2.28). There were no significant differences in survival between the groups. After stratification by disease stage, ccrt plus adjuvant chemotherapy provided a borderline significant benefit for patients with N2–3 disease (hazard ratio: 0.35; 95% ci: 0.11 to 1.06; p = 0.052). Multivariate analyses indicated that only tumour stage was a prognostic factor for overall survival.

Conclusions

Patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma received no significant survival benefit from the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to ccrt. However, patients with N2–3 disease might benefit from the addition of adjuvant chemotherapy to ccrt.