Will Re-irradiation Alone Prevent Loco-regional Progression in Isolated Nodal Recurrence of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma? - A Case Report

Abstract

Abstract:We report a case of 60 year old male with nasopharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma T2N3aMo treated with concurrent chemo-radiation 66Gy in 30 fractions with concurrent weekly carboplatin. On 1 year follow up, the patient had residual left level Ⅱnode, for which 6 cycles of Paclitaxel, cisplatin and 5-Fluorouracil (TPF) was given. Following one year disease free interval, the cancer recurred on same left level II region, for which left Modified Radical Neck Dissection was done. Post-operative re-irradiation 60 Gy in 30 fractions was given in view of extracapsular extension. After a disease free interval of 8 months, recurrence was found in nasopharynx and contralateral right level III nodal region. In our case, re-irradiation without chemotherapy has not improved disease free interval. Therefore, systemic chemotherapy along with re-irradiation should be considered for isolated nodal recurrence with extracapsular extension. (Fig. 1A). Concurrent chemoradiation with