Abstract: Background and purpose: Nasopharyngeal carcinoma usually occurs in people of states of the Southern China. Chemoradiotherapy plays an important role in the therapy of advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. However, chemoradiotherapy causes more toxic side effects than radiation therapy alone, which affects the therapy. Now symptomatic treatment and nutrition supports are common ways in the clinic in order to improve the tolerance of patients for the therapy, but with little effect. To evaluate the clinical significance of percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy (PEG) in advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods: From Oct. 2010 to Jun. 2012, a total of 71 patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma who received PEG before chemoradiotherapy were enrolled. During chemoradiotherapy, gastrostomy diet and nursing were supplied, adverse events, tolerance and nutrition indicators including weight and alcohol of human albumin were detected as well. Results: PEG were performed successfully on 68 patients, but failed in the other 3 patients. Of the 68 patients, 4 have not received concurrent chemotherapy because of liver metastases and liver function damage, 51 of the remaining 64 patients could completely finished 3 cycles of concurrent chemotherapy, with the completion rate of concurrent chemotherapy at 79.69%. The weight change ranged from -11.86% to 0.83%, with a mean value of -5.32%±2.99%. Paired-sample t test of human albumin before and after the treatment showed no significant difference (P=0.742). Grade Ⅱ radioactive oral cavity mucositis appeared in 60.29% patients (41/68), and 22.06% patients (15/68) suffered grade Ⅲ radioactive oral cavity mucositis.Conclusion: For patients with advanced nasopharyngeal carcinoma, preventative PEG improved the tolerance of chemoradiotherapy, reduce the incidence of adverse events. The period of therapy interruption caused by sever adverse event were shortened as well, PEG also increased the completion rate of concurrent chemotherapy. Nutritional status and living quality of patients are improved. In addition, PEG is a safe, economic and simple method.

Key words: Percutaneous endoscopic gastrostomy, Nasopharyngeal carcinoma, Chemoradiotherapy