IMRT delivers lower radiation doses to dental structures than 3DRT in head and neck cancer patients.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Radiotherapy (RT) is frequently used in the treatment of head and neck cancer, but different side-effects are frequently reported, including a higher frequency of radiation-related caries, what may be consequence of direct radiation to dental tissue. The intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) was developed to improve tumor control and decrease patient's morbidity by delivering radiation beams only to tumor shapes and sparing normal tissue. However, teeth are usually not included in IMRT plannings and the real efficacy of IMRT in the dental context has not been addressed. Therefore, the aim of this study is to assess whether IMRT delivers lower radiation doses to dental structures than conformal 3D radiotherapy (3DRT).

Material and methods

Radiation dose delivery

SUBMITTER: Fregnani ER 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC5015339 | biostudies-literature | 2016 Sep

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature