Radiation therapy in the management of early-stage head and neck cancer.

Abstract

Radiation therapy is highly effective in controlling most early stage squamous cell carcinomas of the head and neck. Treatment should be aimed at maximizing the chance for cure with an acceptable low risk of late complications. Innovative treatment techniques often allow for sparing of adjacent normal tissue, as well as the contralateral salivary glands. While beyond the scope of this chapter, newer strategies incorporating recent technological advances further refine the radiotherapist’s ability to maximize the therapeutic ratio, such as intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). The next decade will likely witness a substantial shift in treatment algorithms to reflect such advances, with a resultant decrease in the incidence of late sequelae, possibly coupled with an improvement in local control.