Dose-volume analysis of locoregional recurrences in head and neck IMRT, as determined by deformable registration: a prospective multi-institutional trial.

Background And Purpose: Although IMRT for head and neck cancer is widely accepted, the implications of sparing normal tissue immediately adjacent to target volumes are not well known.

Materials And Methods: Between 2002 and 2007, 124 patients with head and neck cancer were treated with surgery and postoperative IMRT (n=79) or definitive RT (n=45). Locoregional recurrences were analyzed for location relative to target volumes, and dosimetry.