Optimized Intensity Modulated Irradiation for Head and Neck Cancer

Launched by UNIVERSITY OF MICHIGAN ROGEL CANCER CENTER · Dec 26, 2007

Keywords

ClinConnect Summary

Studies show that a dose response relationship in the salivary glands exists and that it may be possible to improve significantly post-radiation xerostomia and quality of life if radiation techniques can be devised that would spare the salivary glands while adequately treating the targets. A new treatment modality (computer-optimized IMRT) facilitates increased sparing of noninvolved tissue, specifically the sparing of both parotid glands, and more conformal high-dose delivery to the bilateral neck targets in patients with head and neck cancer. This study will evaluate the benefits regardin...

Gender

ALL

Eligibility criteria

• Inclusion Criteria:
• • All patients must have histologically confirmed invasive cancer of the head and neck.
• • Irradiation to both neck sides is required.
• • Standard radiation techniques would irradiate most of both parotid glands to a high dose (\>50 Gy). Patients with oropharyngeal, oral, nasopharyngeal, hypopharyngeal and advanced laryngeal cancer are expected to fulfill this requirement.
• • Patients with resectable disease that is either measurable, evaluable or non-measurable disease (post-operative) will be eligible.
• • Karnofsky performance status \>60
• • Patients receiving or not receiving chemotherapy are eligible.
• • All patients must sign an informed consent.
• * Pre-treatment laboratory criteria:
• • WBC (White Blood Cell) \> 3500/ul, granulocyte \> 1500/ul.
• • Platelet count \> 100,000/ul.
• • Creatinine clearance \> 60 cc/min. to receive cisplatin; creatinine clearance 30-59 cc/min to receive carboplatin.
• • Bilirubin \< 1.5 mg% with no evidence of obstructive liver disease.
• • AST (Aspartate Aminotransferase) and ALT (Alanine Aminotransferase) equal to or less than 2.5 x upper limit of normal.
• Exclusion Criteria:
• • Patients who received past irradiation to the head and neck are not eligible.
• • Prior head and neck malignancy or history of other prior non-head and neck malignancy within the past 3 years.
• • Prior head and neck radiation or prior chemotherapy.
• • Documented evidence of distant metastases.
• • Active infection.
• • Pregnancy or lactation; patients must use effective contraception during the course of the clinical trial.
• • Any medical or psychiatric illness which in the opinion of the principal investigator would compromise the patients ability to tolerate this treatment.
• • Patients residing in prison.
• • Age \< 18 years.