Prognostic significance of wait time for radical radiotherapy in locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Background: The prognostic significance of wait time between definite diagnosis and initial radical radiotherapy is not well established in patients with locoregionally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma (LA-NPC) receiving both induction chemotherapy (IC) and concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT).

Methods: From 2010 to 2018, 648 patients with LA-NPC treated with IC followed by CCRT were included.

Results: A total of 172 pairs of patients with LA-NPC were selected by propensity score matching (PSM). Compared to patients with an acceptable wait time (≤75 days), patients with a prolonged wait time (>75 days) had a significant lower 5-year DMFS rate (86.6% vs. 74.1%, p = 0.006). Subgroup analyses indicated that the unfavorable effects of longer waiting times were mainly seen among stage IVa patients.

Conclusions: A prolonged wait time (>75 days) between definite diagnosis and initial radical radiotherapy has negative prognostic effects on patients with LA-NPC receiving IC plus CCRT, particularly those with IVa stage.