Akademik Veri Yönetim Sistemi
TURK ONKOLOJI DERGISI-TURKISH JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY, cilt.40, sa.4, ss.257-263, 2025 (ESCI, Scopus, TRDizin)
OBJECTIVE This study aimed to assess the incidence and dosimetric predictors of radiation-induced lower cranial nerve (CN 9-12) palsy in patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC), treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) +/- chemotherapy. METHODS A total of 125 patients with histologically confirmed NPC who underwent radiotherapy (RT) with or without chemotherapy between 2010 and 2024 were retrospectively reviewed. Lower cranial nerves (CN 9-12) were contoured, and dose-volume parameters including Dmax,Dmean, D2cc, D1cc, and D0.5cc were analyzed. Statistical analyses were conducted using the Mann-Whitney U test and Cox regression to assess associations between clinical features, radiation dose, and the incidence of nerve palsy. RESULTS Median follow-up was 44 months. Cranial nerve palsy was observed in 8 patients (6.4%), all involving CN 12, with concomitant CN 9-11 involvement in 5 cases. No statistically significant correlation was found between palsy and patient characteristics or dosimetric parameters. CONCLUSION Although our study did not demonstrate statistically significant associations, likely due to limited sample size, contouring and sparing of lower cranial nerves in radiotherapy planning are crucial. These nerves play a vital role in preserving long-term quality of life, and their protection should be integrated into routine clinical practice.