Is the introduction of more advanced radiotherapy techniques for locally-advanced head and neck cancer associated with improved quality of life and reduced symptom burden?

Abstract

Technical improvements in head and neck cancer radiotherapy over the last decade have resulted in substantial reductions in dose to organs-at-risk. For a mix of tumors, we saw less xerostomia moving from 3D-conformal to more advanced techniques. For oropharynx-only there were additional improvements, including in global quality-of-life and sticky saliva.

Keywords: Head and neck radiotherapy; Organ at risk sparing; Patient reported outcome; Quality of life.