The feasibility of contralateral lower neck sparing intensity modulation radiated therapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with unilateral cervical lymph node involvement

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) is a malignant tumor type with a reported yearly incidence of 30–80 per 100,000 in southern China [1]. The nasopharynx contains a well-developed lymphatic network, and NPC has a higher incidence of cervical lymph node (LN) metastasis compared to other head and neck cancers [2]. Radiotherapy is the mainstay treatment for non-disseminated NPC. Currently, most protocols recommended by various research bodies, such as the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group, require routine prophylactic irradiation of the retropharyngeal area, Levels II–V and supraclavicular LN areas, regardless of nodal status [3–5].

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