Prognostic Factors and Overall Survival in Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma: A Ten-Year Single-Center Experience

Objective: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignancy originating from the epithelial layer of the nasopharynx. In our study, we aimed to investigate the factors affecting treatment response and survival in patients diagnosed with NPC.Methods: A retrospective study was conducted on 76 patients aged ≥18 years with a pathological diagnosis of NPC who presented to the Oncology Clinic of Dicle University Faculty of Medicine between January 2010 and May 2020. General characteristics of the patients and their effects on overall survival were evaluated.Results: The mean age of the patients was 46. There were 39 patients (51.3%) under 50 years and 37 patients (48.7%) ≥50 years. 18 were female (23.7%) and 58 were male (76.3%). The mean body mass index (BMI) was 24.1±5.2. 39 patients (51.3%) were smokers, and 37 patients (48.7%) were not. At the time of diagnosis, 11 patients (14.5%) were TNM Stage 2, 39 patients (51.3%) were Stage 3, and 26 patients (34.2%) were Stage 4. According to the WHO 2005 histological classification, there were 30 patients (39.5%) in Type 2A and 40 patients (52.6%) in Type 2B. There were no patients with Type 1 or Type 3 tumors. Other tumor types were detected in 6 patients (7.9%). In the survival analysis, 25 patients (32.9%) were deceased and 51 (67.1%) were alive. Kaplan-Meier analysis revealed a mean survival time of 108 months (95% CI = 88-128). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that advanced stage of TNM at diagnosis, low BMI, and high serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels negatively impacted survival (p=0.017, p=0.04, p=0.04, respectively).Conclusion: In NPC, the patient's TNM stage at diagnosis, BMI level, and serum LDH level may be independent prognostic risk factors.