Is the 1997 AJCC staging system for nasopharyngeal carcinoma prognostically useful for Chinese patient populations

摘要: Abstract Purpose: The 5th edition of the American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) staging manual defines new rules for classifying nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). study was conducted to assess its effectiveness in predicting prognosis Chinese patient populations. Methods and Materials: Between June 1993 1994, 621 consecutively admitted patients with nondisseminated NPC were treated definitive-intent radiation therapy alone. All had computed tomography nasopharynx, skull base, upper neck. A computer database containing all information formed presentation. extent disease each restaged according 1997 AJCC system. Results: Of patients, 5-year overall survival (OS) rate 60%. system creates subgroups (Stages I IV) that are assigned 38 (6.1%), 270 (43.5%), 157 (25.3%), 156 (25.1%) respectively. incidence parapharyngeal extension 74.1% (460/621). these (460) extension, 310 (67.4%) classified as T2b disease. showed highly significant differences between stages both OS relapse-free (RFS). T classifications correlation local failure, N classification accurate FDM. Multivariate analysis paraoropharyngeal involvement an independently prognostic factor OS, freedom from recurrence (FLR), form distant metastasis (FDM). Conclusion: is prognostically useful We proposed subdivision should be included future revisions