Clinical outcomes of concurrent chemoradiotherapy with volumetric modulated arc therapy in patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to analyze the clinical results of concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Patients with stage II-IVB NPC who received CCRT with VMAT between 2010 and 2014 were included in this study. The planned dose was 70 Gy in 35 fractions.

RESULTS

Twenty patients aged between 28 and 85 years (median 60 years) were assessed. With a median follow-up time of 47 months, the 3-year overall survival and progression-free survival rates were 85 and 65%, respectively. The 3-year local, regional and distant control rates were 78, 88 and 79%, respectively. At 0, 3, 6 and 12 months from CCRT, 19, 6, 3, and 1 patients had grade 2 dry mouth, respectively. No cases of grade 3 or worse dry mouth were observed. The severity of dry mouth was downgraded from grade 2 to grade 0 or 1 significantly earlier in younger patients (<70 years, p = 0.02) or patients in whom the mean dose to one parotid gland was lower (<26 Gy, p = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONS

Our clinical results regarding CCRT with VMAT for NPC patients showed favorable survival rates while maintaining organ function.