Linac radiosurgery for locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma: rationale and technique.

BACKGROUND

Patients with locally recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma benefit from reirradiation. A main barrier to successful palliation or cure is dose limitation secondary to normal tissue tolerance. There are many strategies to increase the tolerated dose to the recurrent lesions. Stereotactic radiosurgery for the treatment of these lesions has rarely been reported.

METHODS

Three patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma were treated with linac-based stereotactic radiosurgery.

RESULTS

One patient remained disease-free 1 year after radiosurgery; the second patient had neurologic deterioration of uncertain etiology (complication vs recurrence) 6 months after radiosurgery; and the third patient had local recurrence 6 months after radiosurgery.

CONCLUSION

Stereotactic radiosurgery can be used to deliver a boost dose of radiation to recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinomas. The technique is increasingly available and may offer some advantages compared with other techniques. Treatment recommendations are presented.