Effectiveness of image-guided radiotherapy for laryngeal sparing in head and neck cancer
Received 8 December 2009; received in revised form 15 January 2010; accepted 15 January 2010. published online 26 February 2010.
Summary
We would like to compare the effectiveness of image-guided (IGRT) and intensity-modulated (IMRT) radiotherapy to spare the larynx in head and neck cancer patients. A retrospective review of 48 patients undergoing radiation for non-laryngeal and non-hypopharyngeal head and neck cancers. Mean laryngeal and hypopharyngeal dose was compared between 11 patients treated with IMRT and 37 patients treated with IGRT. Mean laryngeal dose was, respectively, 41.2Gy and 22.8Gy for the IMRT and IGRT technique (p<0.001). The radiation dose to the middle and inferior pharyngeal muscles was also significantly reduced with the IGRT technique. Mean pharyngeal dose was, respectively, 52Gy and 26Gy for the IMRT and IGRT technique (p=0.0001). Laryngeal sparing IGRT technique for head and neck cancer minimizes radiotherapy dose to the larynx and pharynx without sacrificing target coverage, even in the presence of neck lymph nodes.
aDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, United States
bBiostatistics, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC, United States
cDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Geneva, Switzerland
Corresponding author. Address: University of Arizona, 1501 N, Campbell Ave., Tucson, AZ 85724-5081, United States. Tel.: +1 520 694 7236; fax: +1 520 626 2032.
ABSTRACT