The Relationship between the Irradiation Treatment for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma and the Maxillary Sinusitis

Objective To evaluate the protective effect on the normal tissues of the nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated with accelerated and hyperfractionated radiotherapy. Methods 48 NPC patients treated with lateral faciocervical portals were divided from January 1995 to January 1997 into two groups (group A and B).31 patients in group A received a total dose of 65～75 Gy with conventional fractionation.17 patients in group B received a dose of 36 Gy with conventional fractionation and then 30～36Gy with 1.5Gy/fraction,2 times per day.They were all assessed by CT scan before,during and 3 months after the treatment or later. Results After treatment,the morbidity of the maxillary sinusitis was 22.6% in group A and 35.3% in group B.But 3 months later,it increased to 32.3% in group A and decreased to 11.8% in group B. Conclusion s The larger irradiation volume the patients receive,the earlier the maxillary sinusitis occurs and the more serious is.But the difference between the two groups become unclear with the time going by.So it is suggested that the accelerated and hyperfractionated radiotherapy can protect the normal tissues and reduce the morbidity of the sequelaes of the treatment.