Xu M, Zang J, Luo S, et al. - Based on a large cohort (n = 792) and a long follow-up time (46.2 months), researchers discovered that the survival outcomes of nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) in China's non-endemic region are comparable to those in endemic regions. The most common acute and late toxicities observed in patients treated in endemic regions were similar.

• The 5-year rates of local recurrence-free survival, regional recurrence-free survival, distant metastasis-free survival, disease-free survival (DFS) and overall survival (OS) in this population-based retrospective study were 90.8%, 97.0%, 82.8%, 69.6% and 78.0%, respectively, with a median follow-up time of 46.2 months.

• Age, N stage, clinical stage, pathological type and primary tumor volume of greater than 23 cm ³ were found to be independent prognostic factors for DFS, whereas age, N stage, pathological type, cervical lymph node necrosis, and anemia were found to be significantly associated with OS.

• Dermatitis, mucositis, and dysphagia were the most common acute IMRT toxicities.

• The top two late toxicities were xerostomia and hearing impairment.

• Distant metastasis and local and/or regional relapses were the most common failure patterns.