Treatment Volume Determination for Irradiation Ofrecurrent Nasopharyngeal Carcinoma with Multimodality Imaging: An Original Article

Abstract

Nasopharyngeal carcinoma is a frequent head and neck neoplasm which is endemic in Southern China [1-3]. Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma may benefit from multidisciplinary management including systemic agents and radiation therapy (RT). Since the role of surgery is typically limited for nasopharyngeal carcinoma treatment, RT constitutes an integral part of multimodality management. In the context of RT, there has been substantial progress in cancer management over the years with introduction of contemporary irradiation strategies, adaptive RT approaches, automatic segmentation techniques, molecular imaging methods, stereotactic irradiation, along with modernized treatment delivery techniques such as Image Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT), Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT), Adaptive Radiation Therapy (ART), Breathing Adapted Radiation Therapy (BART) [4-41].While the improvements in radiation oncology are encouraging, the toxicity profile of radiation delivery remains to be a concern for patients receiving RT for nasopharyngeal carcinoma. In the setting of locally recurrent disease, it is more critical to consider adverse effects of reirradiation to avoid severe complications which may deteriorate quality of life and functionality.