diffusion kurtosis imaging, magnetic resonance imaging, nasopharyngeal carcinoma, progression‐free survival, Neoplasms. Tumors. Oncology. Including cancer and carcinogens, RC254-282

ABSTRACT Purpose This study aimed to evaluate the value of diffusion kurtosis imaging (DKI) for prognostic value for long‐term PFS in nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods A cohort of 295 NPC patients underwent pretreatment 3.0T MRI with DKI to derive mean kurtosis (MK), mean diffusion (MD), and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Clinical parameters (Tumor stage, EBV‐DNA, neoadjuvant chemotherapy regimens) were recorded. Follow‐up extended to December 2023. Statistical analyses (R software v4.3.0) included univariate/multivariate Cox regression and Kaplan–Meier survival analysis. A prognostic nomogram integrating key predictors was developed. Results Median 10‐year follow‐up revealed 2‐, 5‐, and 10‐year PFS rates of 89%, 79%, and 74%, respectively. Univariate Cox regression analysis demonstrated that T stage, Clinical Stages, NAC regimens, ADC_Group, MK_Group, and MD_Group were significant prognostic factors for PFS in NPC (p