Mapping of sentinel lymph node drainage using SPECT/CT to tailor elective nodal irradiation in head and neck cancer patients (SUSPECT-2): a single-center prospective trial.

ABSTRACT: BACKGROUND:The majority of patients with head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) receive bilateral elective nodal irradiation (ENI), in order to reduce the risk of regional failure. Bilateral ENI, as compared to unilateral ENI, is associated with higher incidence of acute and late radiation-induced toxicity with subsequent deterioration of quality of life. Increasing evidence that the incidence of contralateral regional failure (cRF) in lateralized HNSCC is very low (< 10%) suggests that it can be justified to treat selected patients unilaterally. This trial aims to minimize the proportion of patients that undergo bilateral ENI, by using lymph drainage mapping by SPECT/CT to select patients with a minimal risk of contralateral nodal failure for unilateral elective nodal irradiation.

SUBMITTER: de Veij Mestdagh PD 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6857144 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature