Sherwin Shing Wai Lo MBBS, Presenter: Nothing to Disclose

K. Y. Lau, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

W. K. Kan, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

K. W. Chan, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

WWC Wong, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

T. S. Chan, Abstract Co-Author: Nothing to Disclose

To evaluate the efficacy of radical therapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

From 2002 to 2004, 50 patients with newly diagnosed NPC (histologically proven) and completed a course of radiotherapy/chemo-radiotherapy but without clinical evidence of recurrence had follow-up MR of nasopharynx and neck about 77 – 584 days (mean = 244.5) after treatment. There were 39 males and 21 females, age ranged 26 - 85 (mean = 51). In all patients, contrast enhanced (CE) fat suppression (FS) axial T1, CE FS coronal T1 through the nasopharynx and CE FS axial T1 through the neck down to both supraclavicular fossae were obtained, using 1.5 Tesla MRI system (Symphony, Siemens Medical systems, Erlangen, Germany). Additional CE FS sagittal T1 images through the nasopharynx were also obtained in 29 patients. The post-treatment MR images were reviewed and compared with pre-treatment MR by two qualified radiologists. The change in size of the tumor and retropharyngeal/neck nodes was noted. The number of patients subsequently with tumor recurrence/distal metastasis was also noted.

Among 50 patients, 28 showed MR evidence of both tumor and nodal remission and 6 out of 28 patients had local recurrence (2) and distal metastasis (4) in follow up. 22 out of 50 patients showed partial MR response of either local or nodal disease, and 4 out of 22 patients showed local recurrence (1) and distal metastasis (3) in follow up.

Routine post-radical therapy MR in NPC is not very helpful to assess the efficacy of radical therapy and predict clinical remission. This may be due to difficulties in differentiation of post-treatment change from residual disease. Further study with PET scanning correlation may be useful for further evaluation.

To evaluate the efficacy of radical therapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) by magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Lo, S, Lau, K, Kan, W, Chan, K, Wong, W, Chan, T, MR Evaluation of the Efficacy of Radical Therapy in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.  Radiological Society of North America 2006 Scientific Assembly and Annual Meeting, November 26 - December 1, 2006 ,Chicago IL. http://archive.rsna.org/2006/4439512.html