Nasopharyngectomy after failure of 2 courses of radiation therapy.

Background: Recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma after initial therapy has been reported to range between 18% and 54%. As an alternative to surgical salvage, patients with recurrent nasopharyngeal carcinoma are offered a second course of radiation therapy. If this second course fails, patients may be candidates for surgical resection.

Nasopharyngectomy for recurrent nasopharyngeal cancer: a 2- to 17-year follow-up.

Objective: To review the 2- to 17-year outcome of nasopharyngectomy following local recurrence of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Design: Retrospective review.

Setting: University medical center.