Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for head and neck cancer

Abstract

Radiotherapy planning studies have confirmed dosimetric advantages of intensity-modulated radiation therapy over conventional and conformal radiation therapy. Utilization of intensity-modulated radiation therapy is ideal in head and neck cancer patients. Critical structures can be spared due to sharp dose gradients and limited organ motion with correct immobilization. Initial clinical results have shown excellent locoregional control, in part due to the delivery of high doses to the target volume. Reductions in acute toxicities and xerostomia through parotid sparing have been notable benefits. However, long-term outcomes with regards to local control and late toxicities with intensity-modulated radiation therapy are still lacking. This review focuses on the implementation of intensity-modulated radiation therapy for the treatment of head and neck cancers, with a specific focus on set-up uncertainties, dose prescription and target volume determination and delineation.

Accelerated radiotherapy with simultaneous integrated boost fractionation and intensity‐modulated radiotherapy for advanced head and neck cancer

“…The red shaded area corresponds to the GTV (60 Gy/25) consisting of enlarged lymph nodes and primary tumor bed, and the blue shaded area includes the CTV (50 Gy/25) at the level Ib and II lymph nodes. The targets were delineated as per Chao and Ozyigit 21 …”

Evaluating the impact of patient, tumor, and treatment characteristics on the development of jaw complications in patients treated for oral cancers: A SEER-Medicare analysis

“…Advances in technology, most notably the development of intensity‐modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), have sought to minimize the dose of radiation given to critical normal tissues, including the salivary glands and the mandible, with the goal of minimizing the chronic toxicities of radiation therapy . IMRT has been widely accepted as a standard of care for head and neck cancer treatment; multiple Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)–Medicare analyses have demonstrated significant increases in the use of IMRT for head and neck cancer from 2000 to 2005 .…”

Medical Physics in Cancer Treatment: A Comprehensive Review of Innovations, Challenges, and Future Directions

“…These limitations encompassed potential biases in the selected studies and the scope of the literature review. By openly addressing these limitations, the research methodology ensured transparency and accountability [39].…”