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OBJECTIVE To evaluate the results and complications associated with nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) treated with combined external-beam radiotherapy (EBR) and intracavitary brachytherapy (IB) using a new-type applicator.METHODS Eighty patients with untreated NPC were divided into two groups based on therapy methods.An experimental group was treated with EBR plus IB and a control group was treated only with EBR.IB was given to the patients of the experimental group when the external radiotherapy dose amounted to more than 60-65 Gy.The total dose of IB was 6～20 Gy and the total dose of EBR of the control group was 70～75 Gy.RESULTS Follow-up was conducted for 97.5% of the patients with resuits as follows:lhe overall response rates (ORR) for the experimental and the control groups were 92.5% and 75.3% respectively (P＜O.05):the 3 and 5-year survival rates for the experimental group were 87.5% and 74.2%and for the control group,65.0% and 55.6% (P＜O.05):for the experimental group.the 3 and 5-year disease-free survival rates were 72.5%and 64.5%and for the control group,60.0% and 52.8%(P＞0.05).Some complications following radiotherapy showed a significant difference.CONCLUSION External irradiation plus intracavitary brachytherapy using a new-type applicator may improve the ORR and survival rates,reduce radiation complications and increase the quality of life.carcinoma,external-beam radiotherapy,intracavitary brachytherapy,applicator.