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Safety and Efficacy of Salvage Treatment for Recurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Single‐Center Retrospective Study Over 10 Years

Year: 2026

Type: article

Abstract: BACKGROUND: To analyze survival outcomes and identify prognostic factors in patients with locoregionally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) receiving salvage treatment, and to evaluate the safety profile of re-irradiation. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed clinical data from 95 patients with recurrent NPC (rM0) who were diagnosed and received salvage treatment at the PLA General Hospital between January 2008 and October 2018. Patients were stratified into two treatment groups: the radiotherapy (RT) group (n = 72) and the non-RT group (n = 23). RESULTS: With a median follow-up of 37 months (4-100 months), the 3-year overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), and disease-specific survival (DSS) rates were 58.7%, 46.2%, and 33.3%, respectively. The corresponding 5-year OS, PFS, and DSS rates were 34.2%, 31.3%, and 11.1%, respectively. Significant differences in survival outcomes were observed between the RT and non-RT groups: OS (43.4% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), PFS (36.2% vs. 0%, p < 0.001), and DSS (16.2% vs. 0%, p = 0.007). Of the tumor-related deaths, 19 (31.1%) were attributed to massive hemorrhage and 18 (29.5%) to distant metastasis. The univariate and multivariate analyses identified re-irradiation as an independent predictor of superior OS and PFS, and salvage surgery as a predictor of OS improvement. Conversely, advanced nodal disease (rN2-3) independently predicted worse OS and PFS, while local and regional recurrence associated with poorer PFS. CONCLUSION: Salvage re-irradiation significantly improves survival outcomes in locoregionally recurrent NPC, whereas advanced nodal disease (rN2-3) independently predicts poor prognosis. Massive hemorrhage and distant metastasis are the most common causes of death. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Clinical Trial Register: ChiCTR2500098189.

Source: Cancer Medicine

DOI: 10.1002/cam4.71604

Authors: Yanrong Luo, Boning Cai, Bo Li, Lei Du, Lin Ma

Institutions: Chinese PLA General Hospital, First Affiliated Hospital of Chinese PLA General Hospital

Language: English

Topic: Head and Neck Cancer Studies

Subfield: Otorhinolaryngology

Field: Medicine

Domain: Health Sciences

SDG: Good health and well-being

Open Access status: gold

Estimated APC paid: $4,700