Analysis and Discussion of 119 Cases NPC Dead of Metastasis After Radiotherapy

Abstract Since 1975 to 1980, 1101 cases of nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated by radiation treatment in our hospital. 119 cases of 321 (37. 1 %) cases died within five years, of which 52, 9% died of metastasis at the first year, and 30. 3% the second year. 14. 5 % of these cases were stage Ⅰ to Ⅱ, and 85. 5% were stage Ⅲ to Ⅳ. The size and mobility of lymph nodes in neck are very important. Ohly 0. 76% No cases died of metastasis, but N₁ is 11. 8%, and N₂, N₃ are 80.7%, Lowly differentiated carcinoma and undifferentiated carcinoma are prone to metastasize (75. 6%). The most frequent site of NPC metastasis occurs in bone, then lung and liver.To raise survival rates of NPC by radiation treatment, it is important to try to control metastasis. Chemotherapy is effective to treat cancer of head and neck, so it should be considered for NPC patients with N₂, N₃ lymph nodes. Chemotherapy can be given systematically within one year, before and after radiotherapy.