An updated review on head and neck cancer treatment with radiation therapy

Abstract

The complexity of head and neck cancers (HNC) mandates a multidisciplinary approach and radiation therapy (RT) plays a critical role in the optimal management of patients with HNC, either as frontline or adjuvant treatment postoperatively. The advent of both definitive and postoperative RT has significantly improved the outcomes of patients with HNC. Herein, we discuss the role of postoperative RT in different subtypes of HNC, its side effects, and the importance of surveillance. The treatment regions discussed in this paper are the oral cavity, nasopharynx, paranasal sinus cavity, oropharynx, larynx and hypopharynx. Multiple studies that demonstrate the importance of definitive and/or postoperative RT, which led to an improved outlook of survival for HNC patients will be discussed.