Pediatric sarcomas and related tumors of the head and neck

Sarcomas of the head and neck region are a rare group of tumors in children and present challenges with regard to evaluation and treatment. Rhabdomyosarcomas are the most common sarcomas of the head and neck in children. Presence of metastases and complete surgical resectability continue to be the most relevant clinical prognostic factors in patients with sarcomas. However, many patients present with unresectable tumors; these require radiation therapy, which is associated with concerns about immediate and long-term side effects. New technologies, including proton beam therapy (PBT), appear very promising in terms of reducing acute and long-term toxic effects. A multi-disciplinary approach is required for best long-term outcomes in children with head and neck sarcomas.     

Efficacy of hydrolytic enzymes in preventing radiation therapy-induced side effects in patients with head and neck cancers

Purpose: Based on in vitro and on clinical evidence of protection against acute side effects of radiation, a prospective randomized, open study was performed to determine the efficacy of an oral proteolytic enzyme preparation in patients with head and neck cancer receiving conventional fractionated radiation therapy. Methods: Patients with stage T3/T4 head and neck cancer were eligible. One hundred patients from two centres were entered into the study. ⁶⁰Co gamma-radiation was delivered at a standard daily radiation dose of 2 Gy in 25-35 fractions over a period of 6-7 weeks. Two lateral parallel opposing fields were used with a portal area of 10 × 15 cm. Patients assigned to the test group arm additionally received enzyme tablets orally t.i.d. starting 3 days prior to radiation therapy, and continuing up to 5 days after completion of the course of radiation therapy. Patients in the control arm were not given any drug or placebo. Acute radiation side effects were described as mucositis, skin reaction, dysphagia, and were graded at each visit during and after radiation therapy, following RTOG/EORTC criteria. Results: The severity (maximum extent) of acute radiation therapy side effects was significantly less in enzyme-treated patients than in control patients: mucositis (mean: 1.3 vs 2.2, P < 0.001), skin reaction (1.2 vs 2.4, P < 0.001) and dysphagia (1.4 vs 2.2, P < 0.001). The duration of these side effects as well as the sum scores of side effects were also less in the study arm. Conclusions: Combination of enzyme therapy with conventional fractionated radiation therapy was feasible and well-tolerated. There was significant protection against acute side effects of radiation therapy in the study arm. Not only was the severity of acute side effects less but the duration was shorter and the time to onset was also delayed. Prospective randomized double-blind studies would verify this role of an oral enzyme therapy as standard co-medication with radiation therapy to the head and neck region.     

How does the radiation therapist affect the cancer patients' experience of the radiation treatment?

Previous studies of head and neck cancer patients going through radiation treatment have shown the treatment causes great physical as well as psychosocial problems. Although previous research acknowledges the needs of cancer patients, there is a lack of literature regarding the patient's perspective about radiation therapy. Studies have rarely focused on the whole experience of radiation treatment. The aim of this study was to illuminate how head and neck cancer patients' encounters with radiation therapists influence patients' experiences going through radiation therapy. The study was conducted via qualitative interviews, using a phenomenological hermeneutic approach. Eleven cancer patients were treated with radiation therapy. This study showed that encounters with radiation therapists have a significant influence on patients' experiences. Cancer patients' contact with radiation therapists can lead to increases or decreases in existential anxiety. When patients experience that the radiation therapist is professionally competent, the existential anxiety decreases. When the radiation therapist make time to build relationships and take responsibility for treatment and side effects, this creates a feeling of security and the treatment is easier to review. The study may indicate that the patients' existential anxiety increases when the radiation therapist shows professional incompetence.     

Intraoperative radiation therapy for recurrent head-and-neck cancer: the UCSF experience

PURPOSE: To review a single-institutional experience with the use of intraoperative radiation therapy (IORT) for recurrent head-and-neck cancer. METHODS AND MATERIALS: Between 1991 and 2004, 137 patients were treated with gross total resection and IORT for recurrence or persistence of locoregional cancer of the head and neck. One hundred and thirteen patients (83%) had previously received external beam radiation as a component of definitive therapy. Ninety-four patients (69%) had squamous cell histology. Final surgical margins were microscopically positive in 56 patients (41%). IORT was delivered using either a modified linear accelerator or a mobile electron unit and was administered as a single fraction to a median dose of 15 Gy (range, 10-18 Gy). Median follow-up among surviving patients was 41 months (range, 3-122 months). RESULTS: The 1-year, 2-year, and 3-year estimates of in-field control after salvage surgery and IORT were 70%, 64%, and 61%, respectively. Positive margins at the time of IORT predicted for in-field failure (p = 0.001). The 3-year rates of locoregional control, distant metastasis-free survival, and overall survival were 51%, 46%, and 36%, respectively. There were no perioperative fatalities. Complications included wound infection (4 patients), orocutaneous fistula (2 patients), flap necrosis (1 patient), trismus (1 patient), and neuropathy (1 patient). CONCLUSIONS: Intraoperative RT results in effective disease control with acceptable toxicity and should be considered for selected patients with recurrent or persistent cancers of the head and neck.     

Supportive use of megestrol acetate (Megace) with head/neck and lung cancer patients receiving radiation therapy

The purpose of this study was to measure the effect of megestrol acetate (MA) on weight loss and quality of life (QOL) in patients with cancer of the lung or head and neck undergoing curative radiation therapy.

This was a Phase III, placebo-controlled, double-blind randomized study. Patients received either 800 mg/day of MA (20 milliliters po qAM) or placebo over a 12-week period. Patients received radiation of the head and neck or thorax using a dose of at least 50 Gy, either alone or with chemotherapy. Weight was assessed weekly, whereas QOL was assessed at baseline and at 4, 8, and 12 weeks.

Patient characteristics on the MA arm (16 lung, 12 head/neck; mean age: 60 years) were similar to those on the placebo arm (17 lung, 11 head/neck; mean age: 65.8 years). Patients in the MA group had a mean weight loss over 12 weeks of 2.7 pounds, whereas the placebo group had a mean weight loss of 10.6 pounds. There was a significant time by treatment interaction (p = 0.001), with the difference in weight between treatment groups being most pronounced after 6 weeks. Although overall QOL was similar in both arms of the study, several QOL subscale items did differ significantly. Compared to the placebo-treated patients, head-and-neck cancer patients in the MA arm reported the ability to eat as much as they liked (p = 0.02 at 12 weeks), and lung cancer patients in the MA arm reported significantly better appetite at 4 weeks (p = 0.03) and 8 weeks (p = 0.001).

MA used prophylactically is useful as an appetite stimulant; it can help patients maintain weight over the course of curative radiotherapy of the head and neck or lung and can improve specific aspects of QOL.     

Combination of radiation therapy-immunotherapy for head and neck cancers: Promises kept?

Chemoradiotherapy with concurrent cisplatin has been the standard treatment for locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) for over 20 years. Recently, immunotherapy, a new therapeutic class, has emerged for patients with recurrent or metastatic HNSCC and has significantly extended their survival. Will it bring the same benefit to patients with localized tumors? There is a strong rationale for combining radiation therapy and checkpoint inhibitors for HNSCC. Indeed, radiation therapy can have both immunostimulatory and immunomodulatory effects. This is what explains the famous abscopal effect. The aim of this review is to present the data available on the combination of radiation therapy and immunotherapy for HNSCC.     

Periodontal disease and periodontal management in patients with cancer

Periodontal infection may exacerbate during cancer therapy and may result in oral pain and infection, and systemic infection, which may cause morbidity and can lead to mortality in neutropenic cancer patients. Periodontal disease in head and neck cancer patients treated with radiation therapy may lead to acute and chronic complications. The literature was reviewed by a search of Medline of the National Library of Medicine. The search was conducted to identify publications assessing periodontal disease in cancer patients. In addition, a review of papers referenced in the retrieved papers was conducted to identify additional publications for review. Periodontal disease should be assessed and managed prior to medical treatment of cancer for those with oropharyngeal cancer, and for patients in whom neutropenia may develop during treatment. Pretreatment assessment and management, and maintenance of oral hygiene have been shown to be effective in preventing oral and systemic complications during treatment. A complete oral and periodontal examination is appropriate for all patients planned to receive head and neck radiation therapy and those to be treated with medical protocols that are anticipated to result in neutropenia. Oral and periodontal care must continue following cancer therapy, and requires that the health care provider have an understanding of the malignant disease, oral manifestations of the disease, medical management of the disease, and of the oral complications that may develop.     

Multidisciplinary approaches in the management of advanced head and neck tumors: state of the art

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Head and neck cancer remains a significant cause of morbidity worldwide, with approximately 400,000 new cases per year. Ongoing advances in multidisciplinary management of this complex and multivaried disease process are resulting in improved function, quality of life, and survival. This review presents selected advances in primary research in head and neck cancer during the year 2003. RECENT FINDINGS: Successful management of head and neck cancer now requires a cooperative approach among a broad group of medical disciplines that includes head and neck surgery, radiation oncology, medical oncology, medical imaging, clinical pathology and lab medicine, social work, nutrition, and others. Translation of continued advances in these fields by cooperative work will continue to yield incremental advances in diagnosis, staging, treatment, follow-up, supportive care, and quality of life. Accordingly, this review aims to include facets of each individual field. Diagnosis and staging continue to evolve with the inclusion of nuclear medicine and in vivo molecular imaging based on the technology of positron emission tomography and single photon emission computed tomographic scanning. Multimodality approaches remain the forefront of intervention for patients with advanced disease. Facets that continue to be defined and studied include the best treatment order of the three disciplines of surgery, radiation, and chemotherapy; the refinement of radiation by altering fraction dose, sequence, and time course; radiosensitization by chemo- and biologic therapy; and the addition of novel, biologically targeted agents to these disciplines. Following from the side effects of these intensive treatments to a functionally critical part of the body are ongoing advances in supportive care and quality of life. SUMMARY: Head and neck cancer represents a collection of diseases that, although seemingly united by location and histology, on closer inspection represent a diverse collection of subcategories that often differ in pathogenesis, tumor biology, sublocation within the head and neck region, diagnosis, prognosis, treatment, and effect on quality of life. Given this complexity, it is not surprising that clinical management is also complicated and requires a cooperative effort among multiple subspecialties. This review of the current standard of care for patients with head and neck cancer aims to assist this diverse group of practitioners in caring for this complex group of patients.     

A survey of prevention and treatment regimens for oral sequelae resulting from head and neck radiotherapy used in Dutch radiotherapy institutes.

Radiation treatment plays an important role in the management of head and neck cancer. Unfortunately several radiation-induced side effects may occur including mucositis, hyposalivation, radiation caries, trismus and osteoradionecrosis. It is generally accepted that most side effects can be prevented or reduced in severity. The purpose of this investigation was to make a survey of the prevention and treatment regimens for oral sequelae resulting from head and neck radiotherapy applied in all radiotherapy institutes in the Netherlands, and to evaluate the differences in these regimens. In all Dutch centers (n = 20) in which irradiation of head and neck cancer patients is performed, members of the staff responsible for prevention and treatment of oral side effects were interviewed. Questions referred to composition of the dental team, screening and care pre-irradiation, care during irradiation, and care post-irradiation. There appeared to be a great diversity in the preventive approach of the head and neck cancer patient in Dutch radiotherapy institutes. The most comprehensive counseling was performed by those centers in which a dental team was active, particularly when an oral hygienist was a member of such a team. The diversity is among others based on lack of well-defined guidelines in many centers, the spread of a relatively small patient group over a rather large number of centers, absence of a dental team in some centers, absence of an oral hygienist in some dental teams, and the observation that a rather large number of patients were not referred, or not timely referred to the dental team. There seems to be a need for the development of a general protocol for the prevention of oral complications applicable in all centers.     

Management of radiation therapy-induced mucositis in head and neck cancer patients. Part II: supportive treatments

Oropharyngeal mucositis is the acute inflammatory and ulcerative reaction of the oral mucosa following radiation therapy to the head and neck region. It is such a common problem that nearly all head and neck cancer patients develop some degree of mucositis. This complication is usually transient in nature but it also represents an important clinical problem as it is a painful, debilitating, dose-dependent side effect for which there is no widely acceptable prophylaxis or effective treatment. As several authoritative groups have recently either undertaken systematic reviews or issued guidelines on the management of mucositis, it is the aim of this review instead, to provide an overview of all the remedies and pharmaceutical agents available, as well as highlighting to researchers the gaps that need to be filled.     

Good clinical practice in nutritional management of head and neck cancer patients

CONTEXT: The "Standards, Options and Recommendations" (SOR) project, started in 1993, is a collaboration between the Federation of the French Cancer Centres (FNCLCC), the 20 French Cancer Centres and specialists from French Public Universities, General Hospitals and Private Clinics. The main objective is the development of clinical practice guidelines to improve the quality of health care and outcome for cancer patients. The methodology is based on literature review and critical appraisal by a multidisciplinary group of experts, with feedback from specialists in cancer care delivery. OBJECTIVE: To develop clinical practice guidelines according to the definitions of Standards, Options and Recommandations for the nutritional management of the head and neck cancer patients. METHODS: Data have been identified by literature search using Medline and the expert groups personal reference lists. Once the guidelines were defined, the document was submitted for review to 121 independent reviewers, and to the medical committees of the 20 French Cancer Centres. RESULTS: The main recommendations for the nutritional management of head and neck cancer patients are that: 1) Nutritional management prevents undernutrition, improves quality of life, reduces adverse effects of the treatment and prevents treatment delay; 2) The nutritional management of the head and neck cancer patient must be done before, during and after cancer treatment; 3) Before treatment, the weight of the patient must be assessed: 10% of weight loss in 6 months requires to an urgent nutritional intervention; 4) During radiation therapy, feeding should be adapted to various characteristics such as swallowing mechanism, side effects of the treatment, age; 5) During chemotherapy, nutrition must be checked and assessed at each cycle; 6) During surgery, enteral feeding must be stopped and nasogastric feeding progressively introduced starting on day 1 post-operatively. The quality of feed must be adequate during all the healing period. Close surveillance of fever and regurgitation allows regular review of the amount and nature of enteral feed to be given; 7) The patients are given individualised and written advice at the end of treatment and the nutritional follow-up must be planned.     

Assessment of Treatment Response after Chemoradiation of Head and Neck Cancer

Accurate early diagnosis and staging is an essential step in the management of recurrent head and neck cancer. Nevertheless, the diagnosis and staging of recurrent head and neck cancer previously treated by radiation therapy often combined with chemotherapy, remains a challenge. The differentiation between radiation induced reaction and recurrent cancer is a difficult clinical and radiological problem. It is clear that timely diagnosis in case of residual or recurrent tumor is of great importance to increase the possibility of cure. A variety of interventions such as office clinical examinations, blood tests, serum tumor marker measurements, imaging studies and endoscopies are being used to follow-up these patients. No single intervention proved to be absolute or complete in being simultaneously sensitive, specific, inexpensive, safe and efficient at detecting suspected recurrence of head and neck cancer, particularly after chemoradiation. In addition to that, there is no clear evidence of what surveillance regimen or frequency is considered the most adequate or effective in this setting. In this article, we analyze the diagnostic difficulties of tumor recurrence after combined treatment with chemotherapy plus radiation therapy and review the role of clinical, endoscopic and imaging techniques in the follow-up of these patients.     

The Lived Experiences of Patients with Head and Neck Cancer during Concurrent Chemoradiation Therapy Care Process

Purpose: An exploration of concurrent chemoradiation therapy care process from the perspective of patients with head and neck cancer can provide an insight to their lived experience and the difficulties they encounter in daily life towards a deeper understanding of this phenomenon to shape nursing service delivery. The aims of this study were to explore the lived experiences of patients with head and neck cancer while receiving concurrent chemoradiation therapy. Methods: Data were generated from individual in-depth interviews with fifteen head and neck cancer patients, according to the semi-structured interview guidelines, at the out-patient radiation oncology department, Chulabhorn Cancer Center, Bangkok, Thailand. Results: By using Graneheim and Lundman’s content analysis, three categories from the data analysis of patients with head and neck cancer receiving concurrent chemoradiation therapy were isolated: 1) overwhelming information, 2) unpleasant symptom cluster, and 3) strategy for adherence to treatment regimen. Conclusion: The findings help to provide a better understanding of the lived experiences of patients with head and neck cancer during concurrent chemoradiation therapy, in terms of their suffering from various unpleasant side effects and how these impact their life along the treatment journey. This perspective on the care process in these patients enhances the development of a nursing care model based on patient-centered care toward positive patient outcomes.     

A comparative study of UFT enteric-coated granules with UFT capsules on the occurrence of side effects in patients with head and neck cancers--a special attention to the upper gastrointestinal tract disorders

A comparative study on the occurrence of gastrointestinal side effects between UFT enteric-coated granules (UE) and UFT capsules (UC) was made by crossover method in 50 patients with head and neck cancer who were treated by these drugs as a surgical and/or radiation adjuvant chemotherapy. UE was significantly low in the occurrence of upper gastrointestinal side effects; remarkably low in such side effects as nausea and vomiting, in particular. On the other hand, there was little difference between UE and UC in the occurrence of such side effects as diarrhea, stomatitis, dry mouth and hematotoxic signs. The present result suggests that UE is clinically useful for treating the patients with cancer, with less occurrence of gastrointestinal side effects.     

Development of a head and neck companion module for the quality of life–radiation therapy instrument (QOL-RTI)

Purpose/Objective: A review of available head and neck quality of life (QOL) instruments reveals them to inadequately address important radiation related side effects, or to be too cumbersome for routine use. The purpose of this study was to develop a head and neck disease specific module as a companion to the previously developed quality of life - radiation therapy instrument (QOL-RTI). The goal was to create a more complete, yet concise, head and neck site-specific module geared toward patients receiving radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.Methods and Materials: This exploratory study included 34 consecutive patients undergoing definitive radiotherapy over a 6–7 week course (60–79.8 Gy). We developed and administered a 14-item questionnaire to all eligible patients treated with radiotherapy for head and neck cancer who were not already registered in another research study assessing quality of life (e.g., RTOG). During the treatment period, the QOL-RTI general tool and the head and neck (H&N) module were administered as follows: at baseline, at week four (for test-retest), and at the end of the treatment period. For validation purposes the QOL-RTI/H&N was compared to the functional assessment cancer tool head and neck (FACT-H&N) questionnaire. The FACT-H&N was administered one time at week 4, on the same day as the QOL-RTI/H&N. This report includes the treatment phase of the study (during the course of radiation).Results: Mean age was 62 years (range 40–75). Internal consistency of the module was satisfactory (Chronbach’s α = 0.85). Test-retest yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.90 (p < 0.001). Concurrent validity, established by comparing the module to the FACT/H&N , yielded a correlation coefficient of 0.85. Significant changes in quality of life scores during a course of radiation was noted for both general quality of life tool and the site specific module. For the head and neck module, the difference in the mean baseline (7.17) and end of treatment scores (4.20) was 2.94, or 42% change (p < 0.0001). A smaller, yet still significant, difference in scores was seen in the general QOL tool (22% change, p = 0.001). Item analysis of the module revealed statistically significant (p < 0.05) worsening in quality of life scores in the following areas: pain in throat, swallowing difficulty (meat/bread and liquids), changes in mucous and saliva, changes in taste, difficulty chewing, trouble with coughing, and speech difficulties. Items that were not significant were pain in the mouth, and appearance.Conclusion: These initial results suggest that the H&N companion module to the QOL-RTI is a valid and reliable tool that is responsive to changes in QOL during a course of H&N radiation therapy. This tool differs from existing H&N tools by including specific assessments of mucous, saliva, taste, cough, and local pain in a concise format. Significant changes in QOL scores were noted in all of these items. Evaluation of the tool in the post-treatment period (follow-up) is ongoing.     

头颈部肿瘤围放疗期规范化营养治疗进展

营养不良是肿瘤患者常见并发症,解决营养问题仍是临床实践中的挑战性任务之一。围放疗期头颈部肿瘤患者营养不良发生率高,与疾病介导的代谢紊乱、并发症及心理等因素有关,而放射治疗相关的不良反应是导致营养不良的重要原因。营养不良会降低放射治疗耐受性、准确性、治疗效果等,进而降低生活质量,甚至对疾病预后产生不良影响。医学营养治疗可以改善机体营养状况,保证放射治疗顺利进行,提高肿瘤综合治疗效果。在围放疗期对头颈部肿瘤患者进行规范的营养治疗与管理是必要且迫切的,需要定期进行营养风险筛查、营养评估及急性放射损伤评估等,制订个体化营养治疗方案并动态调整。本文在回顾、归纳、总结国内外现有头颈部放疗营养治疗相关文献的基础上,对头颈部肿瘤患者围放疗期的规范化营养治疗进行综述。     

The role of interstitial brachytherapy with salvage surgery for the management of recurrent head and neck cancers

BACKGROUND: The role of interstitial brachytherapy (IBT) in the salvage surgical management of regional lymphatic metastases for head and neck cancer has not been defined to date. To further explore its therapeutic benefit in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma, the authors reviewed their experience utilizing IBT at the M. D. Anderson Cancer Center. METHODS: A retrospective chart review of all patients who were received IBT for cervical recurrences of head and neck cancer was undertaken. Twenty-two patients were identified; all patients underwent neck dissection and intraoperative placement of afterloading catheters as part of the salvage treatment. Soft tissue reconstruction was performed when necessary. The duration and dosage of salvage brachytherapy was reviewed, and the overall disease-free survival rates were determined. RESULTS: All patients had been treated with external beam radiation therapy prior to recurrence, with an average dose of 65 grays (Gy), and 46% of patients had undergone prior neck dissection. The median time to regional recurrence after definitive treatment was 30 months. Soft tissue coverage of the surgical bed with a muscle flap, most commonly a pectoralis major flap, was performed in 19 of 22 patients. The median IBT dose was 60 Gy over a total duration of 4 days. Postoperative complications were few, and there were no perioperative deaths. Recurrences in the reirradiated necks occurred in 27% of patients. CONCLUSIONS: Regional recurrences are common after multimodality treatment for head and neck cancer and are challenging to manage. Although its role has not been defined clearly, salvage neck dissection with IBT is beneficial in the management of recurrent lymphatic metastases of upper aerodigestive tract carcinomas.     

Feasibility of Tomotherapy to spare the cochlea from excessive radiation in head and neck cancer

We would like to evaluate the effectiveness of Tomotherapy for decreasing radiation dose to the cochlea in head and neck cancer patients. A retrospective review of 72 patients undergoing radiation for head and neck cancer was performed. Cochlea dose was compared between 20 patients treated with conventional intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) and 52 treated with Tomotherapy. A review of literature was performed to assess cochlea dose reported with the IMRT technique for head and neck cancer. Mean total cochlea dose was 36 Gy for IMRT compared to 12.1 Gy for Tomotherapy (p=0.002). Mean right cochlea dose was respectively, 16.6 and 6.2 Gy for IMRT and Tomotherapy (p=0.007), and 19.3 and 5.9 Gy for the left. Cochlea (p=0.002). Mean cochlea dose reported in the literature ranged from 16 to 55 Gy with IMRT for head and neck cancer. Helical Tomotherapy for head and neck cancer may significantly decrease radiation dose to the cochlea without sacrificing target volume coverage.     

头颈部肿瘤围放疗期规范化营养治疗进展北大核心CSCD

营养不良是肿瘤患者常见并发症,解决营养问题仍是临床实践中的挑战性任务之一。围放疗期头颈部肿瘤患者营养不良发生率高,与疾病介导的代谢紊乱、并发症及心理等因素有关,而放射治疗相关的不良反应是导致营养不良的重要原因。营养不良会降低放射治疗耐受性、准确性、治疗效果等,进而降低生活质量,甚至对疾病预后产生不良影响。医学营养治疗可以改善机体营养状况,保证放射治疗顺利进行,提高肿瘤综合治疗效果。在围放疗期对头颈部肿瘤患者进行规范的营养治疗与管理是必要且迫切的,需要定期进行营养风险筛查、营养评估及急性放射损伤评估等,制订个体化营养治疗方案并动态调整。本文在回顾、归纳、总结国内外现有头颈部放疗营养治疗相关文献的基础上,对头颈部肿瘤患者围放疗期的规范化营养治疗进行综述。     

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy for head and neck cancer: emphasis on the selection and delineation of the targets

The head and neck contain many critical, noninvolved structures in close vicinity to the targets. The tightly conformal doses produced by intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), and the lack of internal organ motion in the head and neck, provide the potential for organ sparing and improved tumor irradiation. Many studies of treatment planning for head and neck cancer have demonstrated the dosimetric superiority of IMRT over conventional techniques in these respects. The initial results of clinical studies demonstrate reduced xerostomia. They suggest an improvement in tumor control, which needs to be verified in larger studies and longer follow-up. Critical issues for successful outcome of head and neck IMRT are accurate selection of the neck lymph nodes that require adjuvant treatment, and accurate delineation on the planning computed tomography (CT) of the lymph-node bearing areas and subclinical disease adjoining the gross tumor. This review emphasizes these topics and provides some guidelines.