From synchronous metastasis to metachronous metastasis and from oligometastasis to disseminated metastasis, distant metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma (stage IV_B) has great heterogeneity. The prognosis of stage IV_B nasopharyngeal carcinoma patients with distant metastases is closely related to the anatomical characteristics of metastases. Therefore, it is necessary to subdivide M₁ stage to lay the foundation for individualized treatment of patients with metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In addition to systemic chemotherapy, the primary tumors and metastatic lesions should be considered during the treatment of newly-diagnosed metastatic nasopharyngeal carcinoma. Currently, there is a lack of recognized treatment modes for newly-diagnosed stageⅣ_B nasopharyngeal carcinoma, and more studies are needed to evaluate the clinical benefits of different treatment methods.