SPECT/CT-guided elective nodal irradiation for head and neck cancer: Estimation of clinical benefits using NTCP models

Because of the rich lymphatic network in the head and neck region, there is a long-standing convention to electively irradiate the great majority of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) to both sides of the neck in order to reduce the risk of contralateral regional failure (cRF). For example, of 620 patients with HNSCC treated at our institution with (chemo)radiotherapy between 2009 and 2016 who had an indication for elective nodal irradiation (ENI), only 43 patients (7%) were treated to one side of the neck (data not published).

Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology - August 6, 2018 Category: Radiology Authors: Pieter D. de Veij Mestdagh, Tomas Janssen, Emmy Lamers, Casper Carbaat, Olga Hamming-Vrieze, Wouter V. Vogel, Jan-Jakob Sonke, Abrahim Al-Mamgani Tags: Original article Source Type: research