A Comparison of T Classification of the AJCC and Ho Staging Systems for Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma

Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology 2002;18(2):179-183.
Published online November 30, 2002.

Sang wook Lee;Gwi Eon Kim;Chang Ok Suh;Kang Kyoo Lee;Won Park

비인강암에서 AJCC와 Ho 병기 결정법에 따른 T병기의 비교

이상욱;김귀언;서창옥;이강규;박원

Abstract

Objective: A comparison of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC) 1988 and 1997 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) classifications was made in terms of patient distribution and efficacy in predicting prognosis. Materials and Methods: Between Jan. 1981 and Dec. 1998, 60 cases of node negative nasopharyngeal carcinoma were retrospectively reviewed. The extent of disease each patients restaged according to the 4th and 5th AJCC system and Ho system, respectively.
Results
The overall and disease free 5-year survival rates were 61.1% and 62.6%, respectively. Among T classifications of 4th AJCC, 5th AJCC and Ho staging system were not observed significantly different in disease-free survival rates, respectively.
Conclusion
We observed a better patient distribution with AJCC 1997 comparing to AJCC 1988. The new classification also attained better statistical significances among stages in the overall survival and disease free survival rates was needed.

Key Words: American joint committee on cancer, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Tumor staging