Risk of ischaemic cerebrovascular events in head and neck cancer patients is associated with carotid artery radiation dose

Radiotherapy is recommended in around 80% of patients with malignancies in the head and neck area and often combined with surgery or systemic treatment [1,2]. Since survival rates are gradually improving due to more intensified regimens, there is increasing attention to the prevention of long-term side effects caused by (chemo)radiation [3]. In the head and neck region, the salivary glands and the swallowing structures are the most important organs at risk for developing long-term side effects, such as xerostomia, sticky saliva and dysphagia [2,4].

Source: Radiotherapy and Oncology - February 2, 2021 Category: Radiology Authors: Evert S.M. van Aken, Hans Paul van der Laan, Hendrik P. Bijl, Lisa Van den Bosch, Johanna G.M. van den Hoek, Margriet Dieters, Roel J.H.M. Steenbakkers, Johannes A. Langendijk Tags: Original Article Source Type: research