Preliminary Application of Gamma Knife in the Treatment of Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a malignant tumor which occurs frequently in China. Currently, radiotherapy using ⁶⁰Co is the main method of treatment. However, the 5-year survival rate is only 49.5%. There is no effective method today for treating residual or recurrent tumor following radiotherapy. In principle, the Leksell Gamma Knife could contribute to better results. Since December 1993, we have treated 36 patients suffering from nasopharyngeal carcinoma with the Gamma Knife: 32 were relapses after radiotherapy and 4 were primary cases. Treatment was very effective for a short period. The rate of improvement of such symptoms as headache, facial paralysis, reduced vision, nasal obstruction and nasal bleeding was 70–100%. After treatment, tumors became smaller or even disappeared. A new nasopharyngeal biopsy was performed in 12 patients and demonstrated that the pathological tissue had returned to normal. The short duration of the survey precludes conclusions about the long-term effects of the treatment.