Nasopharyngeal carcinoma medical therapy

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma Microchapters
Home
Patient Information
Overview
Historical Perspective
Classification
Pathophysiology
Causes
Differentiating Nasopharyngeal carcinoma from other Diseases
Epidemiology and Demographics
Risk Factors
Screening
Natural History, Complications and Prognosis
Diagnosis
Diagnostic Study of Choice
History and Symptoms
Physical Examination
Laboratory Findings
Electrocardiogram
Chest X Ray
CT
MRI
Echocardiography or Ultrasound
Other Imaging Findings
Other Diagnostic Studies
Treatment
Medical Therapy
Interventions
Surgery
Primary Prevention
Secondary Prevention
Cost-Effectiveness of Therapy
Future or Investigational Therapies
Case Studies
Case #1
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma medical therapy On the Web
Most recent articles
Most cited articles
Review articles
CME Programs
Powerpoint slides
Images
American Roentgen Ray Society Images of Nasopharyngeal carcinoma medical therapy All Images X-rays Echo & Ultrasound CT Images MRI
Ongoing Trials at Clinical Trials.gov
US National Guidelines Clearinghouse
NICE Guidance
FDA on Nasopharyngeal carcinoma medical therapy
CDC on Nasopharyngeal carcinoma medical therapy
Nasopharyngeal carcinoma medical therapy in the news
Blogs on Nasopharyngeal carcinoma medical therapy
Directions to Hospitals Treating Nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Risk calculators and risk factors for Nasopharyngeal carcinoma medical therapy

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1] Associate Editor(s)-in-Chief: Faizan Sheraz, M.D. [2]

Overview

The mainstay of therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is external beam radiotherapy, supplemented in some cases with chemotherapy.

Medical Therapy

The mainstay of therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma is external beam radiotherapy.

• Standard treatments for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma include:
  • External beam radiation therapy alone
  • Concurrent chemoradiation followed by adjuvant chemotherapy
  • Chemotherapy alone for metastatic disease
• Undifferentiated subtype of nasopharyngeal carcinoma is highly radiosensitive

Treatment according to Stages

Stage	Treatment
Stage 1	External beam radiation
Stage 2	Chemotherapy given with radiation therapy, followed by more chemotherapy Radiation therapy to the tumor and lymph nodes in the neck	Stage 3	Chemotherapy given with radiation therapy, which may be followed by more chemotherapy Radiation therapy Radiation therapy followed by surgery to remove cancer -containing lymph nodes in the neck that remain or come back after radiation therapy
Stage 4	Chemotherapy given with radiation therapy, followed by more chemotherapy Radiation therapy Radiation therapy followed by surgery to remove cancer -containing lymph nodes in the neck that remain or come back after radiation therapy Chemotherapy for cancer that has metastasized (spread) to other parts of the body