Endoscopic Surgery vs. Intensity Modulated Radiotherapy for Stage I Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma.

This study compares two treatments for very early-stage nasopharyngeal carcinoma (cancer of the back of the nose and throat): minimally invasive endoscopic surgery (going through the nose with a camera) versus standard intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Stage I nasopharyngeal cancer is small and has not spread to lymph nodes. Radiation is currently the standard, but surgery might achieve similar results with fewer long-term side effects from radiation. Researchers want to find out which approach is better. **You may be eligible if...** - You have been confirmed by biopsy or cytology to have WHO type II or III nasopharyngeal carcinoma (or carcinoma in situ) that is Stage I (T1N0M0) - Your lymph nodes are very small (within specific size limits on imaging) - You are in good functional health (Karnofsky score >70) - You are willing to follow the study protocol and attend follow-up visits **You may NOT be eligible if...** - Your primary tumor is larger than 1.5 cm on MRI, or has grown near major blood vessels - Your cancer has come back or spread to distant areas, or you have another cancer at the same time - You have severe organ problems that prevent surgery or radiation - You cannot reliably attend follow-up visits Talk to your doctor to see if this trial is right for you.