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Purpose: We aimed to compare the staging efficiency of [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE and [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients. Methods: Thirty-nine patients with pathologically confirmed NPC were enrolled in this prospective study. Each patient underwent paired [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE and [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT on 2 successive days. The accuracy of two PET/CT for assessing T, N, and M stages was compared by using head-and-neck MRI, histopathologic diagnosis and follow-up results as reference standards. The radiotracer uptake derived from two PETs was also compared. Results: For treatment-naïve patients, [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT showed identical sensitivity for the primary tumours but clearer tumor delineation induced by higher tumour-to-background (TBR) ratio (19.1 ± 8.7 vs. 12.4 ± 7.7, P = 0.003), compared with [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT. Regarding cervical lymph node (CLN) metastases, [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET had significantly better sensitivity and accuracy based on neck sides (98% vs. 82%, P < 0.001; 99% vs. 88% P = 0.008), neck levels (98% vs. 78%, 99% vs. 97%; both P < 0.001) and individual nodes (89% vs. 56%, 91% vs. 76%; both P < 0.001), and higher TBR (8.1 ± 4.1 vs. 6.3 ± 3.7, P < 0.001). Additionally, [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT revealed higher sensitivity and accuracy for distant metastases (96% vs. 53%, 95% vs. 52%; both P < 0.001), particularly in bone metastases (99% vs. 49%, 97% vs. 49%; both P < 0.001). For post-treatment patients, [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT identified one more true-negative case than [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT. Conclusion: [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT performed better than [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT in visualizing the primary tumours, detecting the metastatic lesions and identifying the local recurrence, suggesting [68Ga]Ga-DOTATATE PET/CT may be superior to [68Ga]Ga-FAPI PET/CT for NPC staging. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: The psychological status of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients cannot be ignored. Few studies have studied the dynamic changes and influencing factors of psychological status in NPC patients during radiotherapy. The purpose of this study was to investigate the changing trends and risk factors of anxiety and depression in NPC patients during radiotherapy. Methods: Demographic and clinical data of 232 newly treated NPC patients were collected. Before radiotherapy, the fourth week, and the end of radiotherapy were observational timepoints. Anxiety and depression states were evaluated by the hospital anxiety and depression scale. Results: Scores of anxiety before radiotherapy, in the fourth week and at the end of radiotherapy were 6.32 ± 3.19, 7.87 ± 3.49, and 9.08 ± 3.69, respectively (P < 0.001). Incidence rates of anxiety were 34.0%, 55.1%, and 64.0% (P < 0.001). Depression scores were 5.31 ± 3.19, 7.07 ± 3.63, and 8.32 ± 3.89 (P < 0.001). Incidence rates of depression were 25.0%, 43.9%, and 56.0% (P < 0.001). Gender, age, education level, smoking, and treatment-related toxicity scores (P < 0.05) were independent risk factors for anxiety in patients with NPC during radiotherapy, while age, education level, and treatment-related toxicity scores (P < 0.05) were independent risk factors for depression in these patients. Conclusion: The incidence and degree of anxiety and depression in NPC patients increased during radiotherapy. Age, education level, and treatment-related side effects influenced anxiety and depression. More psychological nursing should be given to the NPC patients who are more likely to suffer from psychological distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

• This study aims to investigate the relationship between hippocampal doses and psychological status in stage T1-2 NPC patients undergoing IMRT and provide recommendations for optimal dose limits to preserve patients' psychological well-being. • The results showed that several dosimetric parameters to the hippocampi were significantly associated with anxiety but not depression. • The optimal cut-off value for the independent predictor of anxiety was determined as D40 to hippocampi > 1500 cGy. Patients with D40 to hippocampi > 1500 cGy probably had a higher incidence of anxiety after radiotherapy. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between radiation doses to the hippocampi and the psychological status of patients with stage T1-2 nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) undergoing intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and recommend proper hippocampal dose limits for preserving patients' psychological well-being. A retrospective study was conducted involving 152 newly diagnosed NPC patients. The patients' psychological status was assessed using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) before and after radiotherapy. The hippocampi were manually delineated on treatment planning images, and dosimetric parameters were obtained from dose-volume histograms. Logistic regression analysis was performed to identify influential dosimetric factors associated with anxiety and depression. The results showed that several dosimetric parameters to the hippocampi were significantly associated with anxiety but not depression. The optimal cut-off value for the independent predictor of anxiety was determined as D 40 to hippocampi > 1500 cGy. Patients with D 40 to hippocampi > 1500 cGy showed a higher probability for anxiety after radiotherapy. This study provides insights into the relationship between radiation doses to the hippocampi and the psychological status of stage T1-2 NPC patients undergoing IMRT. It suggests the importance of hippocampal protection for preserving patients' psychological well-being. Further studies are needed to validate these results. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]