Prolonged Survival in a Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma (NPC) Patient with Metastatic Disease: A Case Report

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) arises from the epithelial lining of the nasopharynx. Stage I-IIa disease can be cured by radiotherapy alone. Locally or locoregionally advanced disease (stage III, IVA, and IVB) is treated with a combination of radiotherapy with concurrent chemotherapy (CRT). This treatment modality provides 5-year overall survival rates of 50?70%. We present the case of a 28-year old woman; diagnosed with UNPC cT4cN2M0, stage IVa. After primary cisplatin-based CRT with curative intent, there was a complete locoregional remission. However, within six months after completion of primary treatment, bone metastases became apparent. The patient was treated repeatedly with radiotherapy at metastatic sites to avoid additional chemotherapy (renal insufficiency present). Eventually, the patient died at the age of 35, seven years after primary diagnosis.