Intensity-modulated radiotherapy in head and neck cancers: In which direction are we heading?

Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the treatment modalities, which most of the time used in the treatment of most head and neck cancers with/without chemotherapy either as a definitive treatment or adjuvant/postoperated or for symptoms palliation, but it is always accompanied by late sequelae such as xeros...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of radiation and cancer research 2016-01, Vol.7 (2), p.37-41
Main Authors: Punita Lal, Mranalini Verma, K J Maria Das, Shaleen Kumar
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Dysphagia
head and neck cancer
intensity-modulated radiotherapy
sequelae
xerostomia
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Summary:Radiotherapy (RT) is one of the treatment modalities, which most of the time used in the treatment of most head and neck cancers with/without chemotherapy either as a definitive treatment or adjuvant/postoperated or for symptoms palliation, but it is always accompanied by late sequelae such as xerostomia and dysphagia. These two major sequelae have a significant effect on patient′s quality of life even after cure of disease. However, with the advancement of modern techniques such as intensity-modulated RT (IMRT) which effectively spares the parotid glands has a significant effect, proven in randomized trials, for xerostomia as well as dysphagia. IMRT to spare dysphagia and aspiration related structure ( DARSs) has also been studied extensively. To improve the results further, nowadays, we focus on use of functional imaging at the time of RT planning and/or use of image guidance for the adaptation during RT treatment as well as focus on to reduce neurocognition effects of treatment by sparing brain.
ISSN:2588-9273
2468-9203
DOI:10.4103/0973-0168.191702