CHILDHOOD NASOPHARYNGEAL CARCINOMA

Fifty children with newly diagnosed nasopharyngeal carcinoma were reviewed for the demographicaland clinical aspects and evaluated for the treatment results given within 18 years. Thirty two male, 18 female children with an age range of 5-16 years, accounted for %7.2 of all nasopharyngeal cases. Histopathology was WHO 3 carcinoma in 45, WHO 2 in 4, and WHO 1 in one patient. Fourty eight patients were staged according to AJCC: 6 patients (12.5%) were found to have Stage III disease, while 42 patients (87.5%) had Stage IV disease. Twenty three patients were treated with irradiation only. Thirteen patients received adjuvant and 12 had neoadjuvant chemotherapy in addition to radiotherapy. Thirty eight patients attained loco-regional control. Overall, 21 patients are alive without relapse 6-195 months from diagnosis. Thirteen patients had 21 relapses. The 5 and 10 year survival rates were %52 and %52 respectively. The relapse free survival rates were both %53. The results of 3 distinct treatments given in subsequent time periods were not statistically different. Four patients developed second malignancies 33-156 months following diagnosis.

Keywords: Childhood nasopharyngeal carcinoma, radiotherapy, adjuvant chemotherapy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy