[Occurrence and influencing factors of paranasal sinusitis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients after radiotherapy].

BACKGROUND & OBJECTIVE Radiation usually results in paranasal sinusitis in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients, which influences patients' quality of life. This study was to explore the occurrence and influencing factors of paranasal sinusitis in NPC patients before and after radiotherapy. METHODS Clinical data of 381 NPC patients, treated in Cancer Center of Sun Yat-sen University from Jan. 1998 to Jul. 2000, were reviewed. CT images before and after radiotherapy were compared. The occurrence and influencing factors of paranasal sinusitis were analyzed. RESULTS Of the 381 NPC patients, 176 (46.2%) suffered from paranasal sinusitis before radiotherapy. Among the 205 NPC patients without paranasal sinusitis before radiotherapy, 103 (50.2%) developed paranasal sinusitis after radiotherapy; the occurrence rates of paranasal sinusitis at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year after radiotherapy were 21.0%, 33.7%, 41.5% and 29.3%, respectively (Chi(2)=20.92, P<0.001). Logistic analysis showed that T stage was related to the occurrence rate of paranasal sinusitis. CONCLUSION The incidence of paranasal sinusitis in NPC patients after radiotherapy is high and related to T stage.