Survival outcome of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma: a nationwide analysis of 13407 patients in Taiwan

ObjectivesWe reported the contemporary survival outcome of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and analysed the factors affecting survival. DesignA retrospective cohort study. SettingA nationwide population-based study in Taiwan. ParticipantsWe identified 13407 patients with newly diagnosed NPC from 2002 to 2010. Material and MethodsThe multivariate Cox proportional hazards model was performed to measure the mortality-association risk factor in patients with NPC after adjusting for NPC treatment and socio-demographic characteristics. ResultsThe 1-, 2-, 5- and 8-year overall survival (OS) rates were 89.6%, 80.4%, 65.2% and 56.5%, respectively. The factors associated with mortality risk were sex (men versus women, HR=1.45), age (>60 versus 40years, HR= 3.61), geographic region of residence (eastern Taiwan versus northern Taiwan HR=1.39), income (<15840 versus >25000, HR=1.87) and treatment modality (chemotherapy alone versus radiotherapy alone, HR=2.25). ConclusionThe contemporary 5-year OS rate was 65.2% in Taiwan. Male patients, old age, residing in eastern Taiwan, low income and receiving chemotherapy alone were independent predictors for poor OS.