Abstract

Radiotherapy and surgery are the principal curative modalities in treatment of head and neck cancer. Conventional two-dimensional and three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy result in significant side effects and altered quality of life. Intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) can spare the normal tissues, while delivering a curative dose to the tumour-bearing tissues. This article reviews the current role of IMRT in head and neck cancer from the point of view of normal tissue sparing, and also reviews the current published literature by individual head and neck cancer subsites. In addition, we briefly discuss the role of image guidance in head and neck IMRT, and future directions in this area.

Links

Publisher Full Text

Authors

Bhide SA, Newbold KL, Harrington KJ, Nutting CM

Institution

Head and Neck Unit, Royal Marsden Hospital, Sutton, Surrey, UK.

Source

The British journal of radiology 85:1013 2012 May pg 487-94

MeSH

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell
Deglutition Disorders
Head and Neck Neoplasms
Humans
Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms
Laryngeal Neoplasms
Nasopharyngeal Neoplasms
Oropharyngeal Neoplasms
Paranasal Sinus Neoplasms
Parotid Gland
Parotid Neoplasms
Radiation Oncology
Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted
Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated
Thyroid Neoplasms

Pub Type(s)

Journal Article
Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
Review

Language

eng

PubMed ID

22556403