Return to search

Effectiveness of prophylactic retropharyngeal lymph node irradiation in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer

BACKGROUND:The aim of the study is to assess the effectiveness of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) or image-guided radiotherapy (IGRT) for the prevention of retropharyngeal nodal recurrences in locally advanced head and neck cancer.METHODS:A retrospective review of 76 patients with head and neck cancer undergoing concurrent chemoradiation or postoperative radiotherapy with IMRT or IGRT who were at risk for retropharyngeal nodal recurrences because of anatomic site (hypopharynx, nasopharynx, oropharynx) and/or the presence of nodal metastases was undertaken.The prevalence of retropharyngeal nodal recurrences was assessed on follow-up positron emission tomography (PET)-CT scans.RESULTS:At a median follow-up of 22months (4-53months), no patient developed retropharyngeal nodal recurrences.CONCLUSION:Prophylactic irradiation of retropharyngeal lymph nodes with IMRT or IGRT provides effective regional control for individuals at risk for recurrence in these nodes.

Identiferoai:union.ndltd.org:arizona.edu/oai:arizona.openrepository.com:10150/610347
Date January 2012
CreatorsNguyen, Nam, Vock, Jacqueline, Vinh-Hung, Vincent, Almeida, Fabio, Ewell, Lars, Betz, Michael, Jang, Siyoung, Vo, Richard, Dutta, Suresh, Godinez, Juan, Karlsson, Ulf, Chi, Alexander
ContributorsDepartment of Radiation Oncology, University of Arizona, Tucson, AZ, USA, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland, NC, USA, Department of Radiation Oncology, University Hospitals of Geneva, Switzerland, Geneva, USA, University of Galveston Medical School, Galveston, TX, USA, San Antonio Cancer Center, San Antonio, TX, USA, Florida Radiation Oncology Group, Palatka, FL, USA, Marshfield Clinic, Marshfield, WI, USA, Radiation Oncology, University of Arizona, 1501 N. Campbell Ave, Tucson, AZ 85724-5081, USA, Department of Radiation Oncology, Southwest PET/CT Institute, Tucson, AZ, USA
PublisherBioMed Central
Source SetsUniversity of Arizona
LanguageEnglish
Detected LanguageEnglish
TypeArticle
Rights© 2012 Nguyen et al.; licensee BioMed Central Ltd. This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/2.0)
Relationhttp://www.biomedcentral.com/1471-2407/12/253

Page generated in 0.0021 seconds