Defining the dose-volume criteria for laryngeal sparing in locally advanced oropharyngeal cancer utilizing split-field IMRT, whole-field IMRT and VMAT.

Purpose: To determine the optimal dose-volume constraint for laryngeal sparing using three commonly employed intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) approaches in patients with oropharyngeal cancer treated to the bilateral neck.

Materials And Methods: Thirty patients with stage II-IVA oropharynx cancers received definitive radiotherapy with split-field IMRT (SF-IMRT) to the bilateral neck between 2008 and 2013. Each case was re-planned using whole-field IMRT (WF-IMRT) and volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) and plan quality metrics and dose to laryngeal structures was evaluated.

Parotid gland dose in intensity-modulated radiotherapy for head and neck cancer: is what you plan what you get?

Purpose: To quantify the differences between planned and delivered parotid gland and target doses, and to assess the benefits of daily bone alignment for head and neck cancer patients treated with intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT).

Methods And Materials: Eleven head and neck cancer patients received two CT scans per week with an in-room CT scanner over the course of their radiotherapy. The clinical IMRT plans, designed with 3-mm to 4-mm planning margins, were recalculated on the repeat CT images.