Current state, challenges, and future perspective of adaptive radiotherapy: A narrative review of nasopharyngeal carcinoma

Abstract

Patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma often experience weight loss and tumor regression during the course of radiotherapy that lasts for up to 6–7 weeks. Adaptive radiotherapy is a systematic feedback control approach based on image-guided technology that adjusts these changes and optimizes the radiotherapy plans according to new imaging findings during treatment. There is growing evidence that adaptive radiotherapy can reduce side effects, improve the quality of life, and enhance disease control. However, the routine application of adaptive radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal remains relatively limited. This review discusses the necessity, clinical benefits, and limitations of adaptive radiotherapy, and presents the current state, challenges, and future perspective of adaptive radiotherapy strategies for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.