BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to determine the role of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (pEBV)-DNA and positron-emission tomography (PET)-CT scan in predicting the outcome of nasopharyngectomy and cervical lymphadenectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Between 2007 and 2009, we recruited patients who had local or regional recurrent NPC after radiotherapy. The relationship between preoperative pEBV-DNA level, maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax), and surgical outcome was analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-two patients had local tumor recurrence. Their median pEBV-DNA level and SUVmax were 348 copies and 4.7, respectively. Both values were significantly lower than those with palliative nasopharyngectomy. Twenty-two patients had regional failure. Their mean pEBV-DNA level and tumor SUVmax were 626 copies and 7.6, respectively. The metastatic lymph nodes with extracapsular spread had a significantly higher mean SUVmax. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative pEBV-DNA and PET-CT predict the surgical outcome of nasopharyngectomy for recurrent NPC. Similarly, PET-CT scan predicts the presence of extracapsular spread of metastatic lymph nodes. These patients may warrant further postoperative adjuvant therapy.
BACKGROUND: This study was carried out to determine the role of plasma Epstein-Barr virus (pEBV)-DNA and positron-emission tomography (PET)-CT scan in predicting the outcome of nasopharyngectomy and cervical lymphadenectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: Between 2007 and 2009, we recruited patients who had local or regional recurrent NPC after radiotherapy. The relationship between preoperative pEBV-DNA level, maximal standard uptake value (SUVmax), and surgical outcome was analyzed. RESULTS: Forty-two patients had local tumor recurrence. Their median pEBV-DNA level and SUVmax were 348 copies and 4.7, respectively. Both values were significantly lower than those with palliative nasopharyngectomy. Twenty-two patients had regional failure. Their mean pEBV-DNA level and tumor SUVmax were 626 copies and 7.6, respectively. The metastatic lymph nodes with extracapsular spread had a significantly higher mean SUVmax. CONCLUSIONS: Preoperative pEBV-DNA and PET-CT predict the surgical outcome of nasopharyngectomy for recurrent NPC. Similarly, PET-CT scan predicts the presence of extracapsular spread of metastatic lymph nodes. These patients may warrant further postoperative adjuvant therapy.
Authors: Christos K Kontos; Ali Fendri; Abdelmajid Khabir; Raja Mokdad-Gargouri; Andreas Scorilas Journal: BMC Cancer Date: 2013-06-18 Impact factor: 4.430