Longitudinal Assessment of Quality of Life in Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients Treated with Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy and Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy at Different Time Points.

PURPOSE: This retrospective cohort study aims to compare the quality of life (QoL) in patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) treated with intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) versus volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) at different time points. MATERIALS AND METHODS: We conducted a longitudinal assessment of QoL on 287 newly diagnosed NPC patients (IMPT: 41 and VMAT: 246). We collected outcomes of global QoL, functional QoL, C30 symptoms, and HN35 symptoms from EORTC QLQ-C30 and QLQ-HN35 questionnaires at pre-radiotherapy, during radiotherapy (around 40 Gy), 3 months post radiotherapy, and 12-months post radiotherapy (RT). The generalized estimating equation was utilized to interpret the group effect, originating from inherent group differences; time effect, attributed to RT effects over time; and interaction of the group and time effect. RESULTS: IMPT demonstrated superior mean dose reductions in 12 of the 16 organs at risk compared to VMAT, including a significant (>50%) reduction in the oral cavity and larynx. Both groups exhibited improved scores of global QoL, functional QoL, and C30 symptoms at 12 months post RT compared to the pre-RT status. Regarding global QoL and C30 symptoms, there was no interaction effect of group over time. In contrast, significant interaction effects were observed on functional QoL (p = 0.040) and HN35 symptoms (p = 0.004) during RT, where IMPT created an average of 7.5 points higher functional QoL and 10.7 points lower HN35 symptoms than VMAT. CONCLUSIONS: Compared to VMAT, dose reduction attributed to IMPT could translate into better functional QoL and HN35 symptoms, but the effect is time dependent and exclusively observed during the RT phase.

Systematic Characterization of the Clinical and Pathological Features of Schwannomas Harboring SH3PXD2A::HTRA1 Fusion.

The understanding of schwannoma tumorigenesis has been reshaped by the recent identification of SH3PXD2A::HTRA1 fusion in 10% of intracranial/spinal schwannomas. Nonetheless, pathologic features of schwannomas harboring this fusion, as well as its prevalence outside intracranial/spinal locations, have not been characterized. We screened 215 consecutive schwannomas for their clinicopathologic characteristics and fusion status using reverse-transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Among 29 (13.5%) fusion-positive schwannomas, the most prevalent location was peripheral somatic tissue (30.7%, 19/62), followed by spinal/paraspinal (18.4%, 7/38), body cavity/deep structures (10%, 2/20), intracranial (1.3%, 1/75), and viscera (0/13). All 8 cellular, 4 microcystic/reticular, and 3 epithelioid schwannomas were fusion-negative, as were 41/42 nonschwannomatous peripheral nerve sheath tumors. Remarkably, a distinct 'serpentine' palisading pattern, comprising ovoid/plump cells shorter than usual schwannian cells in a hyalinized stroma, was identified in most fusion-positive cases and the schwannomatous component of the only fusion-positive malignant peripheral nerve sheath tumor. To validate this finding, 60 additional cases were collected, including 36 with (≥10% arbitrarily) and 24 without appreciable serpentine histology, of which 29 (80.6%) and 2 (8.3%) harbored the fusion, respectively. With percentages of 'serpentine' areas scored, 10% was determined as the optimal practical cut-off to predict the fusion status (sensitivity, 0.950; specificity, 0.943). Fusion positivity was significantly associated with serpentine histology, smaller tumors, younger patients, and peripheral somatic tissue, while multivariate logistic linear regression analysis only identified serpentine histology and location as independent fusion-predicting factors. RNA in situ hybridization successfully detected the fusion junction, highly concordant with RT-PCR results. Gene expression profiling on 18 schwannomas demonstrated segregation largely consistent with fusion status. Fusion-positive cases expressed significantly higher HTRA1 mRNA abundance, perhaps exploitable as a biomarker. In summary, we systematically characterize a series of 60 SH3PXD2A::HTRA1 fusion-positive schwannomas, showing their distinctive morphology and location-specific prevalence for the first time.

Dosimetric Parameters Related to Acute Radiation Dermatitis of Patients with Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma Treated by Intensity-Modulated Proton Therapy.

Background: Growing patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) were treated with intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT). However, a high probability of severe acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) was observed. The objective of the study is to investigate the dosimetric parameters related to ARD for NPC patients treated with IMPT. Methods: Sixty-two patients with newly diagnosed NPC were analyzed. The ARD was recorded based on the criteria of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0. Logistic regression model was performed to identify the clinical and dosimetric parameters related to ARD. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis and the area under the curve (AUC) were used to evaluate the performance of the models. Results: The maximum ARD grade was 1, 2, and 3 in 27 (43.5%), 26 (42.0%), and 9 (14.5%) of the patients, respectively. Statistically significant differences (p < 0.01) in average volume to skin 5 mm with the respective doses were observed in the range 54−62 Cobalt Gray Equivalent (CGE) for grade 2 and 3 versus grade 1 ARD. Smoking habit and N2-N3 status were identified as significant predictors to develop grade 2 and 3 ARD in clinical model, and V58CGE to skin 5 mm as an independent predictor in dosimetric model. After adding the variable of V58CGE to the metric incorporating two parameters of smoking habit and N status, the AUC value of the metric increases from 0.78 (0.66−0.90) to 0.82 (0.72−0.93). The most appropriate cut-off value of V58CGE to skin 5 mm as determined by ROC curve was 5.0 cm3, with a predicted probability of 54% to develop grade 2 and 3 ARD. Conclusion: The dosimetric parameter of V58CGE to skin 5 mm < 5.0 cm3 could be used as a constraint in treatment planning for NPC patients treated by IMPT.

Quality of Life as a Mediator between Cancer Stage and Long-Term Mortality in Nasopharyngeal Cancer Patients Treated with Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: Quality of life (QoL) attained before, during, or after treatments is recognized as a vital factor associated with therapeutic benefits in cancer patients. This nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) patient longitudinal study assessed the relationship among QoL, cancer stage, and long-term mortality in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). PATIENTS AND METHODS: The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) core QoL questionnaire (QLQ-C30) and the head and neck cancer-specific QoL questionnaire module (QLQ-HN35) were employed to evaluate four-dimensional QoL outcomes at five time points: pre- (n = 682), during (around 40 Gy) (n = 675), 3 months (n = 640), 1 year (n = 578) and 2 years post-IMRT (n = 505), respectively, for 682 newly diagnosed NPC patients treated between 2003 and 2017 at a single institute. The median followed-up time was 7.5 years, ranging from 0.3 to 16.1 years. Generalized estimating equations, multivariable proportional hazards models, and Baron and Kenny's method were used to assess the investigated effects. RESULTS: Advanced AJCC stage (III-IV) patients revealed a 2.26-fold (95% CI-1.56 to 3.27) higher covariate-adjusted mortality risk than early-stage (I-II) patients. Compared with during IMRT, advanced-stage patients had a significantly low global health QoL and a significantly high QoL-HN35 symptom by a large magnitude at pre-, 3 months, and 2 years post-IMRT. QoL scales at pre-IMRT, 1 year, and 2 years post-IMRT were significantly associated with mortality. The effect changes of mortality risk explained by global health QoL, QoL-C30, and QoL-HN35 symptom were 5.8-9.8% at pre-IMRT but at 2 years post-IMRT were 39.4-49.4% by global health QoL and QoL-HN35 symptoms. CONCLUSIONS: We concluded advanced cancer stage correlates with a long-term high mortality in NPC patients treated with IMRT and the association is partially intermediated by QoL at pre-IMRT and 2 years post-IMRT. Therefore, QoL-HN35 symptom and global health QoL-dependent medical support and care should be focused and tailored at 2 years post-IMRT.

Diagnostic Agreement for High-Grade Urothelial Cell Carcinoma in Atypical Urine Cytology: A Nationwide Survey Reveals a Tendency for Overestimation in Specimens with an N/C Ratio Approaching 0.5.

In the Paris System (TPS), standardized cytomorphological criteria and diagnostic categories were proposed for reporting urine cytology. To evaluate the diagnostic agreement and interobserver concordance for assessing TPS criteria, the Taiwan Society of Clinical Cytology organized an online survey with 10 atypical urine cytology cases. A total of 137 participants completed the survey. The mean agreement of diagnosis was 51.2%, ranging from 34.3% to 83.2% for each case. For 60% (6/10) of cases, the agreement was <50%. The interobserver concordance of diagnosis and cytological criteria assessment showed poor agreement. The nuclear-to-cytoplasmic (N/C) ratio had the highest kappa value of 0.386, indicating a significantly higher interobserver concordance and reproducibility than the other three TPS criteria. The correct rate of assessing the N/C ratio increased as the N/C ratio increased (correlation coefficient: 0.891, p < 0.01). Three cases with an N/C ratio near 0.5 were overestimated. Poor interobserver concordance of diagnosis and TPS criteria was revealed. Compared with other cytological features, the N/C ratio assessment was quantitative and more reproducible, but a tendency to overestimate cells was noted when the N/C ratio was approximately 0.5. Continuing education programs should emphasize the accurate assessment of N/C ratio to improve the application of TPS.

Comparison of Intrafractional Motion in Head and Neck Cancer Between Two Immobilization Methods During Stereotactic Ablative Radiation Therapy by CyberKnife.

PURPOSE: Maintaining immobilization to minimize spine motion is very important during salvage stereotactic ablative radiation therapy (SABR) for recurrent head and neck cancer. This study aimed to compare the intrafractional motion between two immobilization methods. PATIENTS AND METHODS: With a spine tracking system for image guiding, 9094 records from 41 patients receiving SABR by CyberKnife were obtained for retrospective comparison. Twenty-one patients were immobilized with a thermoplastic mask and headrest (Group A), and another 20 patients used a thermoplastic mask and headrest together with a vacuum bag to support the head and neck area (Group B). The intrafractional motion in the X (superior-inferior), Y (right-left), Z (anterior-posterior) axes, 3D (three-dimensional) vector, Roll, Pitch and Yaw in the two groups was compared. The margins of the planning target volume (PTV) to cover 95% intrafractional motion were evaluated. RESULTS: The translational movements in the X-axis, Y-axis, and 3D vector in Group A were significantly smaller than in Group B. The rotational errors in the Roll and Yaw in Group A were also significantly smaller than those in Group B; conversely, those in the Pitch in Group A were larger. To cover 95% intrafractional motion, margins of 0.96, 1.55, and 1.51 mm in the X, Y and Z axes, respectively were needed in Group A, and 1.06, 2.86, and 1.34 mm, respectively were required in Group B. CONCLUSION: The immobilization method of thermoplastic mask and head rest with vacuum bag did not provide better immobilization than that without vacuum bag in most axes. The clinical use of 2 mm as a margin of PTV to cover 95% intrafractional motion was adequate in Group A but not in Group B.

Concurrent chemoradiotherapy by simultaneously integrated boost volumetric-modulated arc therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma-toxicity/quality of life and survival.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the toxicity, changes of quality of life (QOL), and survival for patients with nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) treated by concurrent chemoradiotherapy (CCRT) with simultaneously integrated boost volumetric-modulated arc therapy (SIB-VMAT). METHODS: A total of 68 NPC patients treated by CCRT with SIB-VMAT technique were collected. QOL was longitudinally assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30 and HN35 questionnaires at the 4 time points: baseline, 42.4 Gy (20 fractions), and 3, 12 months after CCRT. RESULTS: The 4-year locoregional relapse free, distant metastasis free, failure free, and overall survival rates were 97.0%, 86.4%, 82.0%, and 88.1%, respectively. The 4-year cumulative incidence rate of late toxicities with grade 3 or more was 3.0%. One year after CCRT, most QOL scales, except some oral related symptoms, recovered to baseline level. CONCLUSION: CCRT with SIB-VMAT produces excellent locoregional control, few severe late toxicity, and good general health status for NPC patients.

Comparison of Skull Motions in Six Degrees of Freedom Between Two Head Supports During Frameless Radiosurgery by CyberKnife.

Introduction: Maintaining immobilization to minimize skull motion is important during frameless radiosurgery. This study aimed to compare the intrafractional skull motions between two head supports. Methods: With 6D skull tracking system, 4,075 image records from 45 patients receiving radiosurgery by CyberKnife were obtained. Twenty-three patients used TIMO head supports (CIVCO) (Group A) and twenty-two patients used Silverman head supports (CIVCO) with MoldCare cushions (ALCARE) (Group B). The skull motions in X (superior-inferior), Y (right-left), Z (anterior-posterior) axes, 3D (three-dimensional) vector, Roll, Pitch and Yaw between the two groups were compared and the margins of planning target volume were estimated. Results: The translational motions in Group A were similar in three axes at initial but became different after 10 min, and those in Group B were less prominent in the Y axis. The rotational errors in Group A were most obvious in Yaw, but those in Group B were stationary in three axes. The motions in the X axis, 3D vector, Pitch and Yaw in Group B were significantly smaller than those in Group A; conversely, the motions in the Z axis in Group B were larger. To cover the 95% confidence intervals, margins of 0.77, 0.79, and 0.40 mm in the X, Y, and Z axes, respectively, were needed in Group A, and 0.69, 0.50, and 0.51 mm were needed in Group B. Conclusions: Both head supports could provide good immobilization during the frameless radiosurgery. Silverman head support with MoldCare cushion was better than TIMO head support in the superior-inferior direction, 3D vector, Pitch and Yaw axes, but worse in the anterior-posterior direction.

Pretreatment prognostic factors of survival and late toxicities for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated by simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: To scrutinize the pretreatment prognosticators on survival and late toxicities in a homogenous cohort of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients treated by simultaneous integrated boost intensity-modulated radiation therapy (SIB-IMRT). METHODS: A total of 219 non-distant metastatic NPC patients consecutively treated by SIB-IMRT at a single institute were collected. The pretreatment factors including the socio-demographic variables, TNM stages, gross tumor volume (GTV), Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-DNA, and hematologic inflammatory markers were analyzed. Cox model was used to screen the prognostic factors of late toxicities and four survival outcomes including locoregional relapse-free survival (LRRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), failure-free survival (FFS), and overall survival (OS). RESULTS: Statistically significant inter-correlations were observed between the values of EBV-DNA, some hematologic inflammatory markers, GTV, and N classification. The 5-year LRRFS, DMFS, FFS, and OS rates were 87.9%, 89.4%, 79.4%, and 81.3%, respectively. Multivariate analysis revealed that advanced N classification (N2-3 vs. N0-1) remained the only significant negative prognosticator for all the four survival outcomes. An increased monocyte percentage and a decreased lymphocyte-to-monocyte ratio were significantly associated with poorer FFS and OS, respectively. Larger GTV was observed to be predictive of poorer LRRFS. Patients with T3-4 (HR: 3.5, 95% CI: 1.0-12.1, p = 0.048) or higher GTV (HR: 1.006, 95% CI: 1.001-1.011, p = 0.027) were associated with higher incidence of radiation neuropathy. CONCLUSION: N classification remains the most significant survival predictor for NPC patients treated by SIB-IMRT after adjusting these biomarkers. GTV impacts not only on locoregional control but also radiation neuropathy.

NAB2-STAT6 gene fusion and STAT6 immunoexpression in extrathoracic solitary fibrous tumors: the association between fusion variants and locations.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is a rare mesenchymal neoplasm harboring NAB2-STAT6 fusion, which drives STAT6 nuclear relocation. For extrathoracic SFTs, the clinical relevance of this molecular hallmark remains obscure. We assessed STAT6 immunoexpression for 61 extrathoracic SFTs exclusive of the meninges and head and neck, and 25 had analyzable RNAs to distinguish fusion variants by RT-PCR. The immunohistochemical and molecular findings were correlated with clincopathological features and disease-free survival (DFS). Twenty-eight males and 33 females had SFTs in the body cavities (n = 31), extremities (n = 17), and trunk (n = 13), categorized into 53 non-malignant and 8 malignant tumors. The vast majority (n = 57, 93%) exhibited distinctive STAT6 nuclear expression, including malignant ones. The common fusion variants were NAB2ex6-STAT6ex16/17 in 13 SFTs and NAB2ex4-STAT6ex2 in 8, while miscellaneous variants were detected only in 4 SFTs in the limbs and trunk but not in any body cavity-based cases (P = 0.026). The worse DFS was univariately associated with malignant histology (P = 0.04) but unrelated to tumor size, location, or fusion variant. Conclusively, extrathoracic SFTs mostly harbor NAB2ex6-STAT6ex16/17, followed by NAB2ex4-STAT6ex2. Miscellaneous variants are significantly rare in SFTs within the body cavities. The clinical aggressiveness of extrathoraic SFTs is associated with malignant histology but unrelated to the NAB2-STAT6 fusion variants.

Long-term late toxicities and quality of life for survivors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy versus non-intensity-modulated radiotherapy.

BACKGROUND: The purpose of this study was to investigate late toxicities and quality of life (QOL) of patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) with long-term survival after treatment by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) versus non-IMRT. METHODS: An observational, cross-sectional study of QOL and late toxicities was conducted in 242 patients with NPC with survival of >5 years after treatment with IMRT (n = 100) or non-IMRT (n = 142) by using physician-assessed toxicities (Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events [CTCAE] version 4) and the patient-reported European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30-questions (EORTC QLQ-C30) and the Head and Neck 35-questions (EORTC QLQ-C30-H&N35) module. RESULTS: The IMRT group had both statistically (p < .05) and clinically (difference of predicted mean scores ≥10 points) better outcome in global QOL, cognitive functioning, social functioning, fatigue, and 11 scales of the head and neck module. Late toxicities, including neuropathy, hearing loss, dysphagia, xerostomia, and neck fibrosis were significantly less severe in the IMRT group. Multivariate analysis revealed that the radiotherapy (RT) technique was statistically significantly associated with late toxicities and QOL outcome after adjusting for other clinical and demographic variables. CONCLUSION: The use of the IMRT technique was associated with the improvement of physician-assessed late toxicities and patient-reported QOL in NPC survivors. © 2015 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Head Neck 38: E1026-E1032, 2016.

NAB2-STAT6 fusion types account for clinicopathological variations in solitary fibrous tumors.

Solitary fibrous tumor (SFT) is characterized by the inv12(q13q13)-derived NAB2-STAT6 fusion, which exhibits variable breakpoints and drives STAT6 nuclear expression. The implications of NAB2-STAT6 fusion variants in pathological features and clinical behavior remain to be characterized in a large cohort of SFTs. We investigated the clinicopathological correlates of this genetic hallmark and analyzed STAT6 immunoexpression in 28 intrathoracic, 37 extrathoracic, and 23 meningeal SFTs. These 88 tumors were designated as histologically nonmalignant in 75 cases and malignant in 13, including 1 dedifferentiated SFT. Eighty cases had formalin-fixed and/or fresh samples to extract assessable RNAs for RT-PCR assay, which revealed NAB2-STAT6 fusion variants comprising 12 types of junction breakpoints in 73 fusion-positive cases, with 65 (89%) falling into 3 major types. The predominant NAB2ex4-STAT6ex2 (n=33) showed constant breakpoints at the ends of involved exons, whereas the NAB2ex6-STAT6ex16 (n=16) and NAB2ex6-STAT6ex17 (n=16) might exhibit variable breakpoints and incorporate NAB2 or STAT6 intronic sequence. Including 73 fusion-positive and 7 CD34-negative SFTs, STAT6 distinctively labeled 87 (99%) SFTs in nuclei, exhibited diffuse reactivity in 73, but did not decorate 98 mimics tested. In seven fusion-negative cases, 6 were STAT6-positive, suggesting rare fusion variants not covered by RT-PCR assay. Regardless of histological subtypes, intrathoracic SFTs affected older patients (P=0.035) and tended to be larger in size (P=0.073). Compared with other variants, NAB2ex4-STAT6ex2/4 fusions were significantly predominant in the SFTs characterised by intrathoracic location (P<0.001), older age (P=0.005), decreased mitoses (P=0.0028), and multifocal or diffuse STAT6 staining (P=0.013), but not found to correlate with disease-free survival. Conclusively, STAT6 nuclear expression was distinctive in the vast majority of SFTs, including all fusion-positive tumors, and exploitable as a robust diagnostics of CD34-negative cases. Despite the associations of NAB2-STAT6 fusion variants with several clincopathological factors, their prognostic relevance should be further validated in large-scale prospective studies of SFTs.

Impact of late toxicities on quality of life for survivors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the impact of physician-assessed late toxicities on patient-reported quality of life (QoL) for nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients with long-term survival. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey of QoL and late toxicities was conducted in 242 NPC patients with disease-free survival of more than 5 years after treatment. The QoL was assessed by the European Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). Late toxicities including neuropathy, hearing loss, dysphagia, xerostomia, and neck fibrosis were recorded based on the criteria of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events version 4.0 (CTCAE v.4.0). The general linear model multiple analysis of variance (GLM-MANOVA) was performed to predict factors associated with the QoL. RESULTS: In the multifactor model of GLM-MANOVA, of the five late toxicities of CTCAE scales, neuropathy, hearing loss, and xerostomia were observed to be significantly associated with the overall outcome of the fifteen QLQ-C30 scales. A statistically significant trend (p <0.05) was observed, indicating that NPC survivors with more severe neuropathy, hearing loss or xerostomia had a worse outcome on global QoL, all five functional scales, and a variety of symptomatic scales. CONCLUSIONS: To improve QoL outcome for NPC survivors, the development of a modern radiotherapeutic technique should not only focus on reduction of the dose to the salivary glands, but also on anatomical structures that are involved in neuropathy and hearing loss.

Prognostic value of quality of life measured after treatment on subsequent survival in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

PURPOSE: Pretreatment quality of life (QoL) has been used to predict survival in cancer patients. In this study, we examined the prognostic value of QoL measured after treatment on subsequent survival in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). METHODS: We enrolled 273 patients with NPC who had been curatively treated for more than 1 year. The EORTC QLQ-C30 and H&N35 questionnaires were completed 1 year after radiotherapy. The predictability of QoL variables on disease-specific survival (DSS) and overall survival (OS) was analyzed using Cox's proportional hazards models. RESULTS: Twenty-nine (10.6%) patients developed locoregional relapse and 27 (9.9%) had distant metastasis after the QoL survey with subsequent 5-year DSS and OS rates of 87.9% and 84.0 %, respectively. Based on the QLQ-C30, scales of physical functioning, fatigue, and appetite loss significantly predicted DSS and OS (p < 0.05). In the H&N35, only sexuality was significantly correlated with DSS and OS (p < 0.05). An increment of 10 points in physical functioning (HR: 0.69; 95% CI: 0.48-0.90; p = 0.004) or a decline of 10 points in fatigue problems (HR: 1.40; 95% CI: 1.19-1.61; p = 0.0002), appetite loss (HR: 1.21; 95% CI: 1.03-1.40; p = 0.02), and sexuality (HR: 1.14; 95% CI: 1.02-1.25; p = 0.019) was associated with better OS. CONCLUSION: Some QoL variables measured after the treatment provide prognostic value on subsequent survival in patients with NPC.

Multivariate analysis of quality of life outcome for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after treatment.

PURPOSE: The study analyzed the prognostic factors of quality of life (QoL) for patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) after treatment, with focusing on the therapeutic benefits of the technological advances in radiotherapy (RT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A cross-sectional investigation was conducted to assess the QoL of 356 NPC patients with cancer-free survival of more than 2 years. Among them, 106 patients were treated by two-dimensional RT (2DRT), 108 by 2DRT plus three-dimensional conformal RT (3DCRT) boost, 58 by 3DCRT alone, and 84 by intensity-modulated RT (IMRT). The QoL was assessed by the EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire and QLQ-H&N35 module. The clinical difference of QoL scores between groups was calculated using Cohen's D coefficient. RESULTS: We found NPC survivors who had a higher education level or annual family income and who had received more advanced RT treatments had better QoL outcomes. Compared with 2DRT, the impact of 3DCRT was small on most scales and moderate (Cohen's D: 0.53-0.67) on emotional functioning, pain, and mouth opening; the impact of IMRT was moderate on nine scales and large (Cohen's D: 0.80-0.88) on swallowing, social eating, teeth, and mouth opening. CONCLUSIONS: In addition to socioeconomic levels, advances in RT technique played a significant role in improving QoL of NPC patients.