Currently, most protocols of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) of various research bodies such as the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group require routine elective irradiation to the retropharyngeal area and to levels II-V lymph nodal areas regardless of the status of nodal metastasis. Previous studies had confirmed that the pattern of cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis in NPC followed an orderly manner. Retropharyngeal LNs were the most commonly involved, followed by upper neck levels II, III, or VA nodes, and finally to the lower neck nodes including level IV and VB nodes; and the incidence of LN skip metastasis is rare, ranging from 0.5% to 7.9%. It was rare for NPC patients without neck LN metastases to experience neck failure after elective irradiation to levels II, III and VA. It was also confirmed that with unilateral LN metastases of higher-level LNs usually spread down ipsilateral LNs. Thus, the investigators conduct the non-inferior randomized trial to determine the value of elective neck irradiation in NPC patients with unilateral or bilateral uninvolved neck.
Currently, most protocols of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) of various research bodies such as the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group require routine elective irradiation to the retropharyngeal area and to levels II-V lymph nodal areas regardless of the status of nodal metastasis. Previous studies had confirmed that the pattern of cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis in NPC followed an orderly manner. Retropharyngeal LNs were the most commonly involved, followed by upper neck levels II, III, or VA nodes, and finally to the lower neck nodes including level IV and VB nodes; and the incidence of LN skip metastasis is rare, ranging from 0.5% to 7.9%. It was rare for NPC patients without neck LN metastases to experience neck failure after elective irradiation to levels II, III and VA. It was also confirmed that with unilateral LN metastases of higher-level LNs usually spread down ipsilateral LNs. Thus, the investigators conduct the non-inferior randomized trial to determine the value of elective neck irradiation in NPC patients with unilateral or bilateral uninvolved neck.
Study Type
INTERVENTIONAL
Allocation
RANDOMIZED
Purpose
TREATMENT
Masking
NONE
Enrollment
446
Whole neck irradiation is given in the involved neck. Elective neck irradiation of Level II,III and Va lymph node area is given in the uninvolved neck, and Level IV and Vb lymph node area were not irradiated in the uninvolved neck.
Whole neck irradiation is given regardless of the involved or uninvolved neck.
Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center
Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
Regional relapse-free survival
The regional relapse-free survival rate will be estimated using Kaplan-Meier method for each arm from the date of randomization to the date of nodal relapse or death from any cause, whichever occurred first. Their differences will be compared between treatment arms using the log-rank test.
Time frame: 3 year
Radiation-related toxicity
Acute and late toxicity will be documented according to RTOG/EORTC System and the CTCAE(Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events). Toxicity will be summarized using descriptive statistics.
Time frame: Within 1 month after radiotherapy for acute toxicity; long term for late toxicity
Overall survival
The overall survival rate will be estimated using Kaplan-Meier method for each arm from the date of randomization to death from any cause. Their differences will be compared between treatment arms using the log-rank test.
Time frame: 3 year
Local relapse-free survival
The local relapse-free survival rate will be estimated using Kaplan-Meier method for each arm from the date of randomization to documented local relapse or death from any cause. Their differences will be compared between treatment arms using the log-rank test.
Time frame: 3 year
Distant metastasis-free survival
The distant metastasis-free survival rate will be estimated using Kaplan-Meier method for each arm from the date of randomization to documented distant metastasis or death from any cause. Their differences will be compared between treatment arms using the log-rank test.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: global health status
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on global health status suggest better health.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: physical functioning
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the functioning scales suggest better function.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: role functioning
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the functioning scales suggest better function.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: emotional functioning
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the functioning scales suggest better function.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: cognitive functioning
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the functioning scales suggest better function.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: social functioning
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the functioning scales suggest better function.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: fatigue
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: nausea and vomiting
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: pain
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: dyspnoea
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: insomnia
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: appetite loss
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: constipation
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: diarrhoea
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: financial difficulties
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Core 30 items (QLQ-C30) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: pain
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: swallowing
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: sense problems
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: speech problems
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: trouble social eating
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: trouble social contact
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: less sexuality
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: teeth
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: open mouth
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: dry mouth
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: sticky saliva
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: coughing
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: felt ill
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: pain killers
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: nutrition supplement
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: feeding tube
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: weight loss
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
Patient's quality-of-life: weight gain
European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality-of-Life Head and Neck 35 items (QLQ-H\&N35) version 1.0 questionnaires will be used to assess quality-of-life. All items pointing to this domain are averaged and then transformed to a scale of 0-100 according to the EORTC scoring manual. Higher scores on the symptom scales indicate more severe symptoms.
Time frame: 3 year
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