Stereotactic body radiotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer: A critical review

Research output: Contribution to journalReview articlepeer-review

38 Scopus citations

Abstract

The management of patients with recurrent head and neck cancers remains a challenging clinical dilemma. Concerns over toxicity with re-irradiation have limited its use in the clinical setting. Stereotactic Body Radiation Therapy (SBRT) has emerged as a highly conformal and precise type of radiotherapy and has the advantage of sparing normal tissue. Although SBRT is an attractive treatment modality, its use in the clinic is limited, given the technically challenging nature of the procedure. In this review, we attempt to provide a comprehensive overview of the role of re-irradiation in patients with recurrent head and neck cancers, with particular attention to the advent of SBRT and its use with systemic therapies such as cetuximab. In the second portion of this review, we present our systematic review of published experiences with SBRT in recurrent head and neck cancers in an attempt to provide data on response rates (RR), overall survival and toxicity.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)595-601
Number of pages7
JournalHead and Neck
Volume39
Issue number3
DOIs
StatePublished - Mar 1 2017

Keywords

  • carotid blowout
  • cetuximab
  • recurrent head and neck cancer
  • reirradiation
  • stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT)

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Otorhinolaryngology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Stereotactic body radiotherapy for recurrent head and neck cancer: A critical review'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this