Carcinoma of the Nasopharynx the Significance of Lymphocytic Infiltration

From 1974 to 1985, 76 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) received irradiation with curative intent and 14 with palliative intent in our department. Of the 76 patients, 59 presented with UICC stage IV. The 5-year actuarial survival rate was 41% and the relapse-free survival rate (RFS) 45%. The slides were reviewed according to the World Health Organization (WHO) histologic classification, also taking into account the degree of lymphocytic infiltration according to its Cologne modification. Undifferentiated carcinoma and non-keratinizing carcinoma had similar 5-year RFS (47 and 44% respectively). Patients with major lymphocytic infiltration in the tumor presented with younger median age, with smaller primary tumors and with more advanced neck disease than the other patients. There was, however, no obvious association between the degree of lymphatic infiltration in the tumor and the prognosis. Patients with major lymphocytic infiltration had a 5-year RFS of 44%, versus 49% for patients without such infiltration.