Anatomical changes that take place during Intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) treatments for cancers of the head and neck cause significant dosimetric changes.
The investigator's hypothesis is that those patients with bulky head and neck cancers who undergo definitive radiation therapy with or without chemotherapy have changes in their dose distribution that lead to significant changes in dose to tumor and/or normal tissue. It is possible for these dosimetric changes could occur in either those patients who undergo resection or not. In this study those patients who have undergone a resection will be stratified separately for analysis, however, this study is not powered to detect a difference between the two groups. The rational for stratification into an operated group of patients is that these patients will also lose weight in treatment and will provide us a detection of the magnitude of change in dose caused by weight loss independent of tumor shrinkage.
Study Type
OBSERVATIONAL
Enrollment
39
Patients will be enrolled in study through the duration of their radiation therapy, approximately 6-8 weeks. After which time no further evaluations will be made.
Treatment planning CT scans will be required to define tumor, clinical, and planning target volumes. This study requires CT scans prior to initiation of treatment then again on the third and sixth week of radiation treatment
University of Miami
Miami, Florida, United States
Volumetric/Dosimetric Changes During IMRT for bulky and postoperative head/neck patients
To evaluate whether those patients undergoing standard intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for bulky and postoperative head and neck cancers demonstrate significant anatomic changes, causing dosimetric/volumetric changes during treatment which lead to under-dosing of tumor and/or over dosing of critical structures.
Time frame: 7 weeks
Number of Participants Requiring Re-Planning During the Course of IMRT for bulky and postoperative Head and Neck Cancer
To determine whether patients undergoing standard IMRT for head and neck cancers require re-planning during the course of therapy, due to volumetric or dosimetric changes.
Time frame: 7 weeks
Length of Time Required for Replanning of Radiation Therapy
To estimate what the appropriate time course should be for re-planning of radiation therapy if it is deemed necessary.
Time frame: 7 weeks
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