Table 3 The pathways of local recurrences of nasopharyngeal carcinoma
Pathways | Details of each pathway | Count | Percentage (%) |
|---|---|---|---|
Lateral tumor extension | Nasopharynx-LVPM-Pharyngobasilar fascia-TVPM-Medial pterygoid muscle & Parapharyngeal space-Foramen ovale-Cavernous sinus; or Nasopharynx-LVPM- Pharyngobasilar fascia-Jugular foramen | 8 | 15.4 |
Superior tumor extension | Nasopharynx-Bottom of sphenoid sinus- Sphenoid sinus; or Nasopharynx-Clivus & Foramen lacerum -Cavernous sinus | 10 | 19.2 |
Anterior tumor extension | Nasopharynx-Posterior Nasal Cavity-Pterygopalatine fossa-Foramen rotundum & Inferior orbital fissure- Cavernous sinus & Orbit; or Nasopharynx-Posterior Nasal Cavity-Posterior ethmoid sinus-Anterior ethmoid sinus | 16 | 30.8 |
Posterior tumor extension | Nasopharynx-Prevertebral muscle- Clivus & Hypoglossal canal | 7 | 13.5 |
Caudal tumor extension | Nasopharynx-oropharynx | 3 | 5.8 |