目的　探讨乳酸脱氢酶与鼻咽癌远处转移的关系。方法　 42例鼻咽癌病人接受单纯放射治疗前均检测血清乳酸脱氢酶 ,并随访 >3年。结果　 3年远处转移率为 2 1.4% (9/4 2 ) ;11例血清乳酸脱氢酶高于正常范围 ,其中 6例出现远处转移 ;而 31例血清乳酸脱氢酶正常的病人仅 3例出现远处转移 ,两组差异显著 (P <0 .0 5 )。结论　血清乳酸脱氢酶水平是鼻咽癌发生远处转移的一个重要预后因素。 Objective To investigate the relationship between lactate dehydrogenase and distant metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Methods 42 patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma before receiving radiation therapy were detected serum lactate dehydrogenase, and follow-up> 3 years. Results The distant metastasis rate at 3 years was 2 1.4% (9/42). Eleven patients with serum lactate dehydrogenase were higher than the normal range, of which 6 cases had distant metastasis. In 31 patients with normal lactate dehydrogenase Three cases showed distant metastasis, the difference was significant between the two groups (P <0.05). Conclusions Serum lactate dehydrogenase level is an important prognostic factor for the distant metastasis of nasopharyngeal carcinoma.