Surgery for atlanto-axial (C1-2) involvement or instability in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients.
- Author:
Rajendra TIRUCHELVARAYAN
1
;
Kuo Ann LEE
;
Ivan NG
Author Information
1. Department of Neurosurgery, National Neuroscience Institute, Outram Road, Singapore 169608. rajendra.tiruchelvarayan@sgh.com.sg
- Publication Type:Journal Article
- MeSH:
Adult;
Aged;
Bone Neoplasms;
secondary;
Carcinoma;
Cervical Vertebrae;
drug effects;
radiation effects;
China;
Female;
Humans;
Male;
Middle Aged;
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms;
diagnosis;
surgery;
Osteomyelitis;
diagnosis;
etiology;
surgery;
Osteoradionecrosis;
etiology;
Recurrence;
Spinal Fractures;
etiology;
Treatment Outcome
- From:Singapore medical journal
2012;53(6):416-421
- CountrySingapore
- Language:English
-
Abstract:
Nasopharyngeal cancer (NPC) is a common malignancy affecting Asian countries, especially the Chinese population. Treatment regimes and results have improved over the years with better overall survival outcome data. Radiotherapy with or without chemotherapy is successful in many patients. Local recurrences are treated with nasopharyngectomy or another course of radiotherapy. The upper cervical spine and skull base can also be involved in NPC patients. Possible aetiologies are osteoradionecrosis, chronic infection and tumour invasion. This article reviews the NPC involvement of C1-2 due to the various pathologies as well as the diagnostic and surgical treatment strategies. Three clinical cases that were surgically treated are discussed along with a review of the current literature.
