Radiation-associated Carotid Artery Disease in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

The Clinical Study of Radiation-associated Carotid Artery Disease in Patients With Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated by IMRT

Radiation-associated carotid vasculopathy is a common late sequelae in patients with head and neck cancer, which correlates with the incidence of stroke. Currently, little is known about the incidence of radiation-associated carotid vasculopahty in the context of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).

The aim of this study is to determine whether IMRT will increase the incidence of carotid vasculopathy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC).

Inclusion Criteria:

• signed inform consent
• age more than 18 years old
• ECOG 0-2
• pathologic diagnosed, non-metastatic NPC
• either untreated or treated by definitive IMRT 3 years ago
• did not receive radiation to the head and neck region prior to the diagnosis of NPC
• if the patient received definitive IMRT 3 years ago because of NPC, he or she did not receive a second course of radiation due to local relapse
• no prior surgery of head and neck

Exclusion Criteria:

• prior history of cardiovascular disease before the diagnosis of NPC
• prior radiation to head and neck before the diagnosis of NPC
• prior surgery of head and neck
• pregnant or lactating women