Modern Image-Guided Intensity-Modulated Radiotherapy for Oropharynx Cancer and Severe Late Toxic Effects

Abstract

These results suggest that severe late toxic effects after modern definitive IG-IMRT, with or without cisplatin, for oropharynx cancer is likely uncommon. The importance of late toxic effect reduction in current and future investigational strategies, including clinical trials, should be considered.

Correlation between plan quality improvements and reduced acute dysphagia and xerostomia in the definitive treatment of oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma

“…With respect to acute toxicities of treatment, the incidences in our study were consistent with the other studies on toxicities for OPSCC . Following our previous encouraging results of toxicities in the modern management of oropharynx cancer at our institute, the data presented in this study further demonstrate the improved clinical outcomes of implementing VMAT. The occurrences of the grade 3 or higher acute toxic effects in our IMRT cohort were similar to the prior results, as shown in Figure .…”

Patient‐reported quality‐of‐life outcomes after de‐escalated chemoradiation for human papillomavirus‐positive oropharyngeal carcinoma: Findings from a phase 2 trial

“…Although concurrent chemoradiation represents a potentially curative therapeutic option for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, it historically has been associated with significant long‐term toxicity . Common side effects include swallowing dysfunction, fatigue, xerostomia, and salivary changes among others.…”

“…Although concurrent chemoradiation represents a potentially curative therapeutic option for patients with locally advanced squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck, it historically has been associated with significant long-term toxicity. 1,2 Common side effects include swallowing dysfunction, fatigue, xerostomia, and salivary changes among others. Given the increasing recognition of the influence that quality of life (QOL) has on survivorship for patients with head and neck cancer, incorporating this endpoint into the evaluation of efficacy is becoming more important to refine treatment strategies.…”

Benefit from surgery with additional radiotherapy in N1 head and neck cancer at the time of IMRT: A population-based study on recent developments

“…This might have been due to the reduction of toxicities that lead to life-threatening changes, such as (1) fewer dose gaps and fewer high dose levels in terms of sufficient homogenous dose coverage in recent times, (2) better regeneration of organs at risk, (3) fewer mucositides, (4) less osteoradionecrosis, (5) better nutritional situation, (6) fewer infections, and (7) shorter hospitalisation. [30,31] The effect of a higher irradiation dose in the context of IMRT is most consequential when radiation is delivered as a simultaneous integrated boost (SIB). Advantages include moderate treatment acceleration, reduced treatment time, and the possibility of dose escalation in the gross tumour volume.…”