Surgical treatment of oligometastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Oligometastasis-directed therapies have shown promise in improving patient outcomes. In this review, we summarized the current understanding of oligometastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) and the role of surgery in its management. Since the majority of clinical evidence supporting the benefit of surgical treatment on oligometastatic NPC is derived from non-controlled, single-arm, observational studies, therefore, findings reported before should be interpreted with caution and it is crucial to identify the right patients for oligometastasectomy to ensure the safety and effectiveness for patients. Future studies investigating the oligometastatic state should employ more robust study designs, such as randomized controlled trials, to guide clinical decision-making. Additionally, a comprehensive understanding of the tumor biology associated with oligometastatic NPC is necessary for developing effective treatment strategies for patients.