Is the introduction of more advanced radiotherapy techniques for locally-advanced head and neck cancer associated with improved quality of life and reduced symptom burden?. (October 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Dahele, Max; Tol, Jim P.; Vergeer, Marije R.; Jansen, Femke; Lissenberg-Witte, Birgit I.; Leemans, C. Rene; Slotman, Ben J.; Verdonck-de Leeuw, Irma M.; Verbakel, Wilko F.A.R.
• Is Part Of: Radiotherapy and oncology. Volume 151(2020)
• Page Start: 298
• Page End: 303
• Publication Date: 2020-10
• Subjects: Head and neck radiotherapy -- Quality of life -- Patient reported outcome -- Organ at risk sparing; Oncology -- Periodicals; Radiotherapy -- Periodicals; Tumors -- Periodicals; Medical Oncology -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- radiotherapy -- Periodicals; Radiotherapy -- Periodicals; Radiothérapie -- Périodiques; Cancérologie -- Périodiques; Tumeurs -- Périodiques; Electronic journals; 616.9940642
• DOI: 10.1016/j.radonc.2020.08.026
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0167-8140

Abstract

Highlights: Substantial reduction in organs at risk doses were achieved in radiotherapy over period 2000–2016. Despite improvements in radiotherapy treatment planning, global quality of life did not improve significantly. Small but significant improvements in dry mouth were seen over 2000–2016. Summary: Technical improvements in head and neck cancer radiotherapy over the last decade have resulted in substantial reductions in dose to organs-at-risk. For a mix of tumors, we saw less xerostomia moving from 3D-conformal to more advanced techniques. For oropharynx-only there were additional improvements, including in global quality-of-life and sticky saliva.