Onkologie. 2012:6(5):247-251

Modern technologies in head and neck cancer radiotherapy

Milan Vošmik, Miroslav Hodek, Igor Sirák, Jan Jansa, Linda Kašaová, Petr Paluska

Klinika onkologie a radioterapie, Fakultní nemocnice Hradec Králové

Radiotherapy represents an important treatment modality in head and neck cancer. Recent technological advances in radiotherapy treatment

planning and dose delivery make possible more precise delivery of radiation to target volumes while sparing adjacent healthy tissues

and organs at risk. Magnetic resonance imaging or positron emission tomography-based planning allow better delineation of

gross tumor volume, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, proton therapy or stereotactic radiotherapy offer higher conformality in dose

delivery, image-guided radiotherapy enables a reduction of set-up margin. The goal of all new technologies in radiotherapy of head and

neck cancer is a reduction of radiotherapy-related toxicity and, in this way, an improvement of clinical results.

Keywords: head and neck cancer, intensity-modulated radiotherapy, image-guided radiotherapy, adaptive radiotherapy

Published: November 1, 2012  Show citation