Abstract: To evaluate the effectiveness and complications of treatment with externalbeam radiotherapy (EBR) plus intracavitary afterloading therapy (IAT) using a new type of applicator and to compare it to EBR alone for treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). Methods: Eighty NPC patients receiving initial treatment were divided into two groups according to the method of treatment,i.e. EBR plus IAT in the combined therapy group and EBR alone in the control group (n=40). The dose of external irradiation for the combined therapy group was 60~65 Gy. The IAT was performed after EBR, with a total dose of 6 to 20 Gy and a median of 12 Gy. Patients in the control group received doses ranging from 70 to 75 Gy. Results: A total of 97.5% of the patients were followed up by May 2006. The overall response rate (ORR) of the combined therapy group and the control group was 92.5% and 75.3% respectively (P<0.05). The 3 and 5 - year survival rates of the two groups were 87.5%, 65.0% (P<0.05) and, 74.2% and 55.6% (P>0.05). The 3 and 5- year disease- free survivals of the two were 72.5%, 60.0% and, 64.5% and 52.8%, respectively (P>0.05 ). There was a significant difference between the two groups in the rate of complications. Conclusions: External irradiation plus intracavitary brachytherapy, using a new type of applicator, may improve the ORR and survival rate, reduce radiation complications and improve quality of life.