Prognostic factors in nasopharyngeal malignancy.

Data collected from review of 99 patients with carcinoma of the nasopharynx was submitted for statistical analysis. The purpose of the analysis was to determine patient, tumor and treatment factors that influence survival. The only patient factor observed to influence survival was patient age (P = 0.05). Greatest survival was noted for patients in the age group 0 to 20 years (44%), while poorest survival rates were in patients over 60 years of age (14%). Tumor factors influencing survival included the location of regional metastases (P = 0.05). Homolateral cervical metastases was associated with survival rates approximating 30% compared with 10% when bilateral metastases were present. Survival decreased markedly as cervical metastases progressed from the upper third of the neck to involvement of the middle and lower thirds. Survival was 20% when nodal involvement was confined to the upper neck compared with 8% when metastases extended to lower cervical regions. The only treatment factor apparently influencing survival was duration of therapy (P = 0.08). Longer treatment periods offered better five-year control rates. Higher dosage levels of radiotherapy were associated with improved survival, but not significantly so.