Radiation Therapy For Head And Neck Cancers

This evidence-based guide to the current management of cancer cases at all head and neck sites will assist in the appropriate selection and delineation of tumor volumes/fields for intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), including volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT). Each tumor site-related chapter presents, from the perspective of an academic expert, several actual cases at different stages in order to clarify specific clinical concepts. The coverage includes case presentation, a case-related literature review, patient preparation, simulation, contouring, treatment planning, treatment delivery, and follow-up. The text is accompanied by illustrations ranging from slice-by-slice delineations on planning CT images to finalized plan evaluations based on detailed acceptance criteria. The book will be of value for residents, fellows, practicing radiation oncologists, and medical physicists interested in clinical radiation oncology

Long established as a staple reference for all radiation oncologists, Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancers: Indications and Techniques is now in its Third Edition. This completely updated edition presents the state-of-the-art protocols currently used at the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center and thoroughly explains the principles, nomenclature, and clinical use of intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT). New full-color illustrations have been added throughout the book. The first section discusses the practical aspects of external beam therapy, brachytherapy, and endocavitary beam therapy and offers guidelines on patient care before and during radiotherapy. The second section provides detailed coverage of site-specific indications and techniques.

Thoroughly updated to include all of the latest technology and treatment regimens, Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancers: Indications and Techniques, 5th Edition remains the reference of choice for radiation oncologists. Timely updates include an increased use of full-color images and significantly more digital content, bringing you fully up to date with state-of-the-art radiation therapy for head and neck cancer. The first section covers general principles, practical aspects of external beam therapy, patient care guidelines, and more, including a new chapter on general principles of target and normal tissue contouring; the second section discusses site-specific indications and techniques. Numerous illustrated case examples make this resource an excellent day-to-day reference for both residents and practitioners. Key Features Presents radiation oncology protocols currently used at the MD Anderson Cancer Center, including new, up-to-date material on IMRT (including VMAT) and proton therapy. Contains new digital content, including additional case details, normal anatomy, mini-atlases of normal tissue and cranial nerves, older content useful to international practitioners, and additional clinical photos of treatment set-up. Features new full-color images throughout, as well as updated suggested readings. Your book purchase includes a complimentary download of the enhanced eBook for iOS, Android, PC & Mac. Take advantage of these practical features that will improve your eBook experience: The ability to download the eBook on multiple devices at one time -- providing a seamless reading experience online or offline Powerful search tools and smart navigation cross-links that allow you to search within this book, or across your entire library of VitalSource eBooks Multiple viewing options that enable you to scale images and text to any size without losing page clarity as well as responsive design The ability to highlight text and add notes with one click

The contemporary management of patients with cancers of the head and neck is under careful scrutiny and major changes are being introduced in order to improve the potenti al not only for long-term control but also for less in the way of disfiguring and distres sing complications associated with the treatment programs. In 1988, the American Cancer Society estimates that there will be 42400 new cases of malignant tumors of the head and neck diagnosed with 12 850 deaths. In general, the prognosis for patients with malignant tumors of the head and neck re gion depends upon the site of origin, the local and regional extent of the tumor, the Kar nofsky status of the patient as well as the patient's general medical condition. The poten tial for cure for early stage tumors is extremely high particularly for those lesions involving the vocal cord, oral cavity, and the anterior two-thirds of the tongue. Major advances have been made in the management of head and neck cancer by the innovative utilization of surgery with radiation therapy. Small tumors can be cured by ei ther surgery or radiation therapy with equally good results. However, far advanced tu mors are more complicated and more difficult to cure requiring combined, integrated, multimodal programs of management. Therefore, the previously general poor prognosis for advanced tumors is becoming better with more aggressive treatment regimens.

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), one of the most important developments in radiation oncology in the past 25 years, involves technology to deliver radiation to tumors in the right location, quantity and time. Unavoidable irradiation of surrounding normal tissues is distributed so as to preserve their function. The achievements and future directions in the field are grouped in the three sections of the book, each suitable for supporting a teaching course. Part 1 contains topical reviews of the basic principles of IMRT, part 2 describes advanced techniques such as image-guided and biologically based approaches, and part 3 focuses on investigation of IMRT to improve outcome at various cancer sites.

The first clinical book on the hottest topic in radiation oncology, this timely teaching text offers step-by-step guidance in use of IMRT for cancers at each subsite of the head and neck. The book's high-end content gives readers the clinical decision-making expertise and technical proficiency to incorporate this state-of-the-art radiation treatment technique into practice. Unique to this text is the site-specific instruction on target determination and delineation, to ensure adequate treatment of the tumor target while sparing adjacent normal tissue. More than 250 detailed full-color and black-and-white illustrations clarify each step in clinical implementations of head and neck cancer treatment, especially IMRT. The book provides a concise, pertinent overview of the natural course, lymph node spread, diagnostic criteria, and therapeutic options for each head and neck cancer subsite. Numerous tables provide extensive summaries of the IMRT literature. Figures with succinct explanatory text demonstrate the patterns of direct tumor extension and nodal metastasis with which target volumes are determined and delineated. Clinical outcomes for patients treated with IMRT and with conventional techniques are also included.

Cancers of the head and neck are among the most morbid of cancers. Convention al surgery and/or radiation therapy have a high cure rate for patients with early stage disease. However, despite optimal treatment with surgery and radiotherapy, patients with nodal spread or extensive local disease have a low cure rate. Even if a cancer is cured, a patient is often left with long-term debilities from the treatment and/or cancer. The major causes for decreased survival in patients with advanced head and neck cancer include local recurrence, distant metastases, and second primaries. All of these need to be addressed if one is to improve upon the curability of advanced disease. There are several new techniques, surgical and radiotherapeutic, designed to improve local control. Brachytherapy, or interstitial implantation, delivers a high dose of localized radiation with minimal normal tissue injury. This technique as discussed by Goffinet, may be even more efficacious when combined with hyperthermia. New, creative methods of radiation therapy delivery, such as the use of multiple fractions per day, as discussed by Parsons and Million, are also contributing to long-term local control. Laser therapy, discussed by Ossoff and Nemeroff, provides another tool for treatment of local disease.