Abstract:

Objective To compare the effects of chrono-chemotherapy combined with intensity-modulated radiotherapy（IMRT） or conventional chemotherapy combined with IMRT on the quality of life and nutritional status of patients with locally advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma（NPC）. Methods A total of 85 patients with locally advanced NPC were randomly divided into an experimental group（n=42） and control group（n=43）. The patients in the experimental group were treated with chrono-chemotherapy at fixed times during induction chemotherapy and concurrent chemotherapy. The control group received routine intravenous drip and concurrent radiotherapy，and IMRT was applied to both groups. Quality of life and nutritional status before and after treatment were analyzed using EORTC，QLQ-C30，QLQ-H&N35，NRS 2002 and PG-SGA scales. Results Total health score after induction chemotherapy was significantly higher in the experimental group than in the control group（P<0.05），and scores for nausea and vomiting，loss of appetite，constipation，dysphagia and weight gain was significantly lower（P<0.05）. After the end of radio- and chemotherapy，the experimental group was significantly better than the control group in general health status，nausea and vomiting and other outcomes（P<0.05）. NRS 2002 and PG-SGA results showed a significant increase in both groups in the number of malnutrition cases after the end of treatment，with a larger number of cases in the control group. Conclusion Outcomes related to nausea and vomiting，overall health status and quality of life in patients with locally advanced NPC may be superior with chrono-chemotherapy than with conventional chemotherapy.

Key words: Nasopharyngeal neoplasm, Chrono chemotherapy, Intensity modulated radiation therapy, Quality of life, Nutritional status