Aim: This study evaluated the prognostic value of the Para pharyngeal space involvement in nasopharyngeal carcinoma T 2 disease (UICC 1997 classification).
Methods: From January 1997 and December2001; 32 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were examined by CT scan and according to the 1997 International Union Against Cancer (UICC) staging system, 15 had stage T2a M0 (G1) and 17 T2bM0(G2). The median age was 47 years. The male to female ratio was 1.81 (G1); 4.3 (G2). All patients were pathologically confirmed by biopsy from the nasopharynx as having UCNT in 100% (G1) and 94% (G2). The node involvement was 52% for the G1 (N2: 26%, N3: 26%) and 80% for the G2 (N2: 47%, N3: 41%). Both neoadjuvant chemotherapy and radiotherapy were performed for advanced N disease and only radiotherapy for NO.
Results: Examination and CT scan were performed for the evaluation of the treatement. The completely clinical remission after chemotherapy was 12.5% (G1) and 53% (G2), partial remission was 25% (G1) and 35% (G2). The CT scan control wasn't performed for all patients. The complete response was 69% (G1) and 53% (G2); partial response was 6% for both two groups. The median follow up was 79 months. Disease free survival rates were 70% for G1 (T2a) and 48% for G2 (T2b). Distant metastasis rates were 26% (G1) vs 6% (G2) and more likely in the presence of advanced N disease. Five years overall survival was 78% (G1) T2a vs. 55% (G2) T2b.The N disease was correlated to metastasis as overall survival was 66.7% for N3 disease vs 85.7% for N0.
Conclusion: Parapharyngeal tumor involvement affects local and regional tumor failure. Subclassification of T2 disease into T2a/T2b should have an impact on treatment strategies.