Prognosis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with insufficient radical dose to the primary site in the intensity‐modulated radiotherapy era
Tianzhu Lu MD  Xingyun Xie MD  Qiaojuan Guo MD  Shenghua Zhan MD  Cheng Lin MD  Shaojun Lin MD  Yu Zhang MD  Jingfeng Zong MD  Jianji Pan MD
First published: 16 July 2019 https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.25865
Tianzhu Lu and Xingyun Xie contributed equally to this study.
Funding information: Fujian Provincial Natural Science Foundation of China, Grant/Award Number: 2018J01275 and 2019J01194; National Clinical Key Specialty Construction Program and Key Clinical Specialty Discipline Construction Program of Fujian, China
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Abstract
Background
It was reported that reduced radiotherapy is feasible for children with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and papilloma virus‐positive oropharyngeal cancer. Therefore, we performed this study to explore the prognosis of reduced‐dose radiation in adult with NPC.

Methods
Between 2004 and 2013, we retrospectively analyzed 19 patients histologically diagnosed with NPC, who received <66 Gy radiation therapy. Ten patients receiving <54 Gy to the primary site were group A. Nine patients receiving ≥54 Gy were group B.

Results
Thirteen patients received induction chemotherapy (IC) for two or three cycles. In group A, the 5‐year overall survival (OS) was 50.0%. For group B, the 5‐year OS, locoregional relapse‐free survival, progression‐free survival, and distant metastasis‐free survival were 88.9%, 100.0%, 88.9%, and 88.9%. Group B had a better prognosis than group A on OS (88.9% vs 50.0%, P = .03).

Conclusion
Patients receiving ≥54 Gy but <66 Gy with IC achieved good local control and long‐term survival.