Epidemiology and outcomes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma: Experience from a regional cancer center in Southern India

Abstract

Context:Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a rare head and neck cancer with significant geographical variation. There are limited data on epidemiology and outcomes of NPC reported from Southern India.Settings and Design:Retrospective analysis.Materials and Methods:We analyzed our hospital data between January 2005 and December 2011 with NPC and analyzed their demographic parameters and outcomes with therapy.Results:A total 143 cases of NPC were identified. Median age at presentation was 35 years with male predominance. Majority (84%) of the cases had the WHO Type 3 histology. Nodal metastasis at presentation was seen in 90% of the cases, majority being bilateral. Distant metastasis was seen in 16% of the cases, most commonly at bone, lung, and liver. Concurrent chemoradiation with weekly cisplatin was offered to 84.7% of localized disease while 80% of these also received adjuvant chemotherapy. Complete remission and partial remission were achieved in 66.1% and 15.2% of the cases, respectively. Weekly cisplatin was well tolerated with Grade 3–4 toxicity seen in 22% of cases. At a median follow-up of 20 months, 2-year progression-free survival and overall survival were 67.2% and 79.5%, respectively.Statistical Analysis Used:SPSS software version 20.Conclusion:NPC is a rare head and neck malignancy in Southern India, presenting with advanced stage and more propensity to distant metastasis. It has good outcomes to concurrent chemoradiation with weekly schedule of cisplatin being well-tolerated regime. Further prospective studies to test this schedule and other novel agents in this potentially curable malignancy are warranted.

Mukonal Inhibits Cell Proliferation, Alters Mitochondrial Membrane Potential and Induces Apoptosis and Autophagy in Human CNE1 Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Cells

“…Current treatment for nasopharyngeal carcinoma includes surgical excision, systemic chemotherapy, or local radiotherapy. However, owing to the adverse effects of some treatments, patient quality of life is can be impaired [ 4 ]. Drug treatment derived from natural sources have recently been studied, and have included studies to identify and screen anticancer molecules from natural resources [ 5 ].…”

Inhibition of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma by Beta-Lapachone Occurs by Targeting the Mammalian Target of Rapamycin (mTOR)/PI3K/AKT Pathway, Reactive Oxygen Species (ROS) Production, and Autophagy Induction

“…Surgical removal, systemic chemotherapy, or radiotherapy are used for treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Nonetheless, because of the adverse impact of these treatment strategies, patient quality of life is drastically compromised [17]. Beta-lapachone is a potent anti-cancer molecule and has been shown to halt the growth of several types of cancers [18–20].…”

Role of Computed Tomography Imaging in Evaluation Cervical Lymph Nodes in Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

“…However, spreаd to the pаlаte, nаsаl cаvity, аnd orophаrynx hаve аlso commonly reported. Distаnt metаstаses cаn аrise within bone, lung, the mediаstinum аnd, more rаrely, the liver [1][2][3]. Аlthough NPC is rаre in North Аmericа аnd Europe with аn incidence of 0.5-2 per 100,000, intermediаte incidence rаtes аre seen in Southeаst Аsiа, the Mediterrаneаn Bаsin, аnd the Аrctic rаnging from 0.5 to 31.5 per 100,000 person-yeаrs in mаles аnd 0.1 to 11.8 person-yeаrs in femаles [4][5][6].…”