Medial retropharyngeal nodal region sparing radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: five year analysis of open label, non-inferiority, multicentre, randomised phase 3 trial - PubMed
4 hours ago
- #Swallowing function
- #Radiotherapy sparing
- #Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
- Medial retropharyngeal lymph node (MRLN) sparing radiotherapy was evaluated for non-metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma in a five-year analysis of a phase 3 trial.
- The study found non-inferior five-year local relapse-free survival (89.2% vs. 90.6%) and overall survival (89.2% vs. 90.3%) compared to standard radiotherapy.
- MRLN sparing radiotherapy showed improved safety, with lower rates of grade ≥1 dysphagia and grade ≥2 dry mouth.
- Swallowing-related quality of life was enhanced, and videofluoroscopy indicated fewer swallowing issues like vallecular residue and aspiration.
- MRI measurements revealed less severe atrophy in pharyngeal constrictors after MRLN sparing radiotherapy.
- The conclusion supports MRLN sparing radiotherapy as a standard treatment due to uncompromised efficacy and better long-term swallowing function.