Radiotherapy Controversies and Prospective in Head and Neck Cancer: A Literature-Based Critical Review

Francesca De Felice; Antonella Polimeni; Valentino Valentini; Orlando Brugnoletti; Andrea Cassoni; Antonio Greco; Marco de Vincentiis; Vincenzo Tombolini

doi:10.1016/j.neo.2018.01.002

Radiotherapy Controversies and Prospective in Head and Neck Cancer: A Literature-Based Critical Review

Neoplasia. 2018 Mar;20(3):227-232. doi: 10.1016/j.neo.2018.01.002. Epub 2018 Feb 12.

Authors

Francesca De Felice¹, Antonella Polimeni², Valentino Valentini³, Orlando Brugnoletti⁴, Andrea Cassoni⁵, Antonio Greco⁶, Marco de Vincentiis⁷, Vincenzo Tombolini⁸

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: fradefelice@hotmail.it.
² Department of Oral and Maxillo Facial Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy. Electronic address: antonella.polimeni@uniroma1.it.
³ Department of Oral and Maxillo Facial Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy. Electronic address: valentino.valentini@uniroma1.it.
⁴ Department of Oral and Maxillo Facial Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy. Electronic address: orlando.brugnoletti@uniroma1.it.
⁵ Department of Oral and Maxillo Facial Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy. Electronic address: andrea.cassoni@uniroma1.it.
⁶ Department of Sense Organs, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy. Electronic address: antonio.greco@uniroma1.it.
⁷ Department of Oral and Maxillo Facial Sciences, Policlinico Umberto I "Sapienza" University of Rome, Italy. Electronic address: marco.devincentiis@uniroma1.it.
⁸ Department of Radiotherapy, Policlinico Umberto I, "Sapienza" University of Rome, Rome, Italy. Electronic address: vincenzo.tombolini@uniroma1.it.

Abstract

In treating head and neck cancer (HNC), the objectives are provided for best functional results and minimal risk of serious complications. The choice of appropriate management depends primarily on specific site and stage of primary tumor at diagnosis. Radiation therapy (RT) with or without concomitant chemotherapy represents a classical treatment option. In this review, we provide an update of recent research strategies to counteract the existing damage caused by RT and highlight clinical trials currently in progress. We discuss the challenges in the evaluation of new stage system and RT-related toxicity onset. We mainly address the deficiencies and the advantages noted in the current treatment era.

Publication types

Review

MeSH terms

Animals
Combined Modality Therapy / methods
Head and Neck Neoplasms / drug therapy*
Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
Humans