Abstract: Objective  To evaluate the clinical features of nasopharyngeal carcinoma with different survival time and to analyze the factors associated with prognosis improvement. Methods Three hundred and fifty three patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated in our hospital from January 2000 to April 2002 were analyzed retrospectively. They were divided into three groups based on their survival time. One hundred and forty five patients were divided into A groups whose overall survival time were less than five years. Sixteen patients were included in B group whose overall survival time were greater than or equal to five years and less than ten years, and the other one hundred and ninety two patients were divided into C groups whose overall survival time were greater than or equal to ten years. The clinical features were compared and factors associated with survival were identified. Results The 5 and 10 years overall survival rates of the 353 nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients underwent radiotherapy were 58.924% and 54.391% respectively. Curative effect of early nasopharyngeal carcinoma was better. Cox regression analysis identified age, N stage, combined with chemotherapy or not and complete remission rate of nasopharynx and neck lymph were independent prognostic factors. Conclusion For nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients, early detection, early treatment, rational comprehensive treatment and complete remission after treatment and complications prevention are important.

Key words: Nasopharyngeal neoplasms, Radiation injuries, Prognosis