Patterns of care and treatment outcomes for local recurrence of NPC after definite IMRT—A study by the HKNPCSG

Wai‐Tong Ng MD  Edwin C.Y. Wong FRCR  Alice K.W. Cheung FRCR  James C.H. Chow FRCR  Darren M.C. Poon FRCR  Jessica W.Y. Lai FRCR  Chi‐Leung Chiang FRCR  Horace C.W. Choi PhD  Tin‐Ching Chau MSc  Victor H.F. Lee MD  Anne W.M. Lee MD  Anthony H.P. Tam MPH  Kwok‐Hung Au FRCR … See fewer authors
First published: 27 July 2019 https://doi.org/10.1002/hed.25892
This manuscript is accepted for poster presentation in the 38th European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (PO‐0718).
Funding information: Hong Kong Health and Medical Research Fund, Grant/Award Number: 15163081
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Abstract
Background
This study evaluates the contemporary care for patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma after failure of the primary course of intensity modulated radiotherapy.

Methods
Eligible patients were identified through the Hong Kong Cancer Registry database. Patterns of care and treatment outcomes were analyzed.

Results
Two hundred seventy‐two patients with locally recurrent tumors were identified. Of them, 30.9% received surgery, whereas 35.7% received re‐irradiation (re‐RT). The 5‐year overall survival (OS) for the whole group was 30.2%. Old age and advanced rT classification were adverse prognostic factors, whereas surgery (mainly in resectable recurrence) was associated with favorable survival outcome. The 5‐year OS rates for patients who received surgery and re‐RT were 56.3% and 21.8%, respectively.

Conclusions
Early detection of resectable recurrence is of paramount importance as surgery for resectable tumors offers the potential to achieve excellent outcomes. Re‐RT could be considered in selected patients with unresectable disease and favorable prognostic features.