After IC, contouring of GTVnx-residual/GTVnd-residual as residual tumor volume and distribution 60 Gy of radiation dose to the tumor regression field may be feasible and need further investigation.

BackgroundThe aim was to develop and validate the quality of life scale for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients, the QOL-NPC (version 2), a specific instrument to measure quality of life for NPC patients.MethodsThe QOL-NPC was developed and validated according to standard procedures. The patients were assessed using the QOL-NPC, FACT-G, and FACT-H&N. Classical test theory was used to evaluate the reliability, validity, and responsiveness of the QOL-NPC.ResultsA total of 487 patients (97.4 %) completed the questionnaire. The QOL-NPC comprised four domains, as follows: physical function (eight items); psychological function (five items); social function (five items); and side effects (eight items). All of the items had a lower proportion of missing data. Cronbach's alpha values of the domains ranged from 0.72 to 0.84. The split-half reliability coefficients ranged from 0.77 to 0.84. All of the intra-class correlation coefficients were > 0.8. The normed fit index, non-normed fit index, and comparative fit index were >0.89. The root mean square error of approximation was 0.097, with a 90 % confidence interval (0.093, 0.100). The domain scores of the QOL-NPC were significantly correlated with the FACT-G and FACT-H&N (P < 0.05). All of the domain scores of patients using different amounts of radiotherapy were significantly different (P < 0.001). All domain scores decreased at the completion of radiotherapy, with effect sizes ranging from −0.82 to −0.22.ConclusionsThe QOL-NPC is valid for measuring QOL with good reliability, validity, and responsiveness. The QOL-NPC is recommended to measure the QOL for Chinese NPC patients.

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Purpose To evaluate the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in subgroups of stage III nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the context of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). Methods A total of 272 patients with stage III NPC who underwent IMRT with or without concurrent chemotherapy were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathological features were evaluated by a Cox regression model to identify independent prognostic factors. Survival outcomes were assessed using the Kaplan–Meier method and log-rank test. Results The median follow-up time was 108 months. The 10-year locoregional-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were 87.8%, 80.7%, 68.8%, and 74.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the N classification was significantly associated with DMFS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.616, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.387–9.428, P = 0.009), DFS (HR 2.417, 95% CI 1.291–4.423, P = 0.006), and OS (HR 3.024, 95% CI 1.385–6.602, P = 0.005). In patients with T1-3N2 disease, CCRT was associated with improved 10-year LRFS (89.6% vs. 65.4%, P = 0.005), DFS (71.9% vs. 39.4% P = 0.001) and OS (80.0% vs. 50.5%, P = 0.004) compared with IMRT alone. However, in patients with T3N0-1 disease, no significant survival differences were observed between patients treated with IMRT alone and CCRT (P > 0.05). Conclusions CCRT is an effective therapy in stage III NPC, especially for patients with N2 disease, but IMRT alone may be adequate for N0-1 disease. Individualized treatment strategies are essential for patients with varying disease risks.

PurposeTo evaluate the efficacy of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) in subgroups of stage III nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) in the context of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).Methods272 patients with stage III NPC who underwent IMRT with or without concurrent chemotherapy (CCT) were retrospectively reviewed. Clinicopathological features were evaluated by a Cox regression model to identify independent prognostic factors. Survival outcomes were assessed using Kaplan-Meier method and log-rank test.ResultsThe median follow-up time was 108 months. The 10-year locoregional-free survival (LRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), disease-free survival (DFS), and overall survival (OS) rates were 87.8%, 80.7%, 68.8%, and 74.9%, respectively. Multivariate analysis showed that the N classification was significantly associated with DMFS (hazard ratio [HR] 3.616, 95% confidence interval [CI] 1.387-9.428, P=0.009), DFS (HR 2.417, 95% CI 1.291-4.423, P=0.006), and OS (HR 3.024, 95% CI 1.385-6.602, P=0.005). In patients with T1-3N2 disease, CCRT was associated with improved 10-year LRFS (89.6% vs. 65.4%, P=0.005), DFS (71.9% vs. 39.4%, P=0.001) and OS (80.0% vs. 50.5%, P=0.004) compared with IMRT alone. However, in patients with T3N0-1 disease, no significant survival differences were observed between patients treated with IMRT alone and CCRT (P>0.05). ConclusionCCRT is an effective therapy in stage III NPC, especially for patients with N2 disease but N0-1 disease. Individualized treatment strategies are essential for patients with varying disease risks.

Purpose: To investigate N-staging Assessment of pretreatment Shear wave elastrography (SWE) in small cervical lymph nodes (0. 5 cm ≤ maximum diameter < 1 cm, intact capsule, no central necrosis, sCLNs) in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Conclusions: Pretreatment SWE has high accuracy in evaluating the sCLNs in NPC patients and is helpful for accurate N-staging and survival prognosis. It can be used as a clinical supplementary examination.

Background This study presents a summary of the clinical characteristics of non‐nasopharyngeal lymphoepithelial carcinoma (NNPLEC), effects of combined modality treatment and prognostic value of plasma Epstein–Barr virus (EBV) deoxyribonucleic acid (DNA) load, with the aim of providing a reference framework for optimizing treatment practices and outcomes. Methods Patients with NNPLEC treated by our center between January 2000 and December 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Results In total, 728 patients were included. The lung was identified as the most common primary tumor site (64.0%), followed by the salivary gland (19.2%). A total of 539 (74.0%) patients underwent surgery, 459 (63.0%) received chemotherapy, and 361 (49.6%) were subjected to radiotherapy. The median follow‐up time was 45 months (range, 6–212 months) and 5‐year overall survival (OS) was 79.1%. Increased plasma EBV‐DNA load of >513.5 copies/mL was predictive of disease progression, with a specificity of 98.1% and a sensitivity of 98.9%. In multivariate Cox analysis, N stage, surgery, and radiotherapy were independent prognostic factors for both OS and PFS. Radiotherapy significantly improves OS in comparison with no radiotherapy group for salivary LEC, while surgery significantly improves OS for pulmonary LEC. Conclusion Based on our analysis, surgery and radiotherapy are associated with better OS and PFS for NNPLEC. Radiotherapy could be recommended for salivary LEC, while surgery remains the primary treatment strategy for pulmonary LEC patients. An increased plasma EBV‐DNA load of >513.5 copies/mL is strongly predictive of disease progression, supporting the importance of regular evaluation of plasma EBV‐DNA as part of the diagnostic routine.