Prognostic Factors and Survival in Nasopharyngeal Cancer: A Single Center Experience


Balsak A., Yaldız Çobanoğlu H. B., Kandaz M.

UHOD - ULUSLARARASI HEMATOLOJI-ONKOLOJI DERGISI, vol.1, no.34, pp.35-44, 2024 (SCI-Expanded)

Abstract

Our aim was to evaluate patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and determine the prognostic factors and overall survival. 154 patients who were diagnosed with nasopharyngeal carcinoma and referred to our clinic between 1996 and 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. 150 patients were treated with 70 Gy of radiotherapy, 4 patients did not receive treatment. Patients were stratified by tumor stage and histology. Survival analysis was conducted on 150 patients who received treatment. Of 150 patients who received treatment, 102 patients were male and 48 were female. The mean age was 49.45±15.75 (range: 12-82) years. Mean follow up time was 76.3 ± 76.1 (range: 1-278) months. The median overall survival time was 118 months (95% CI 34.4-201.59). The 2- and 5-year survival rates were 72.7% and 57.5%, respectively. On univariate analysis, T stage (p= 0.006), M stage (p< 0.0001), stage (p< 0.0001), histology (p< 0.001), radiotherapy treatment technique (p< 0.01), treatment modality (p< 0.0001) and metastasis status (p< 0.0001) were found to be prognostic factors influencing overall survival. The multivariate analysis revealed that stage (p< 0.0001), histology (p< 0.001), RT technique (p= 0.012), and metastasis status (p= 0.008) were prognostic independent factors. Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a severe malignancy with relatively good outcomes. Concomitant chemoradiotherapy is a reliable treatment regimen and with devel- oping radiotherapy techniques such as IMRT/VMAT, prolonged survival is one step closer. The majority of locoregional recurrence and metastatic cases occur four to five years following radiotherapy. More studies are in need with larger populations, as some countries has seen an increase in incidence recently.