treatment

Last edited 12/2018

The only roles for surgery in nasopharyngeal carcinoma are that of biopsy for diagnosis, and for secondary procedures such as radical dissection of involved lymph nodes following radiotherapy, or for tracheostomy.

The mainstay of treatment is external irradiation, preferably using multiple portals of entry, and including the glandular areas in both sides of the neck. Supervoltage techniques with doses of 60-70 Gy are best.

offer intensity-modulated radiation therapy with concomitant chemotherapy to people with locally-advanced (stage II and above) nasopharyngeal cancer.

Consider adjuvant or neo-adjuvant chemotherapy for people with locally-advanced (stage II and above) nasopharyngeal cancer. (1)

Reference:

• NICE (June 2018). Cancer of the upper aerodigestive tract: assessment and management in people aged 16 and over