Role of concurrent chemoradiotherapy and stereotactic body radiation treatment for palliation of previously untreated head and neck cancers

Abstract

Abstract Palliative concurrent chemoradiotherapy has not been well evaluated for patients who are not a candidate for definitive treatment. Even though stereotactic radiotherapy has established a role in the re‐irradiation of recurrent head and neck tumors, its role is not established as a possible primary treatment modality for patients who are not eligible for curative treatment. This article reviews the available literature on the role of chemoradiotherapy and stereotactic radiation for palliation of previously untreated head and neck cancers.

Keywords

• incurable head and neck cancer
• metastatic head and neck cancer
• palliative chemoradiation
• stereotactic ablative radiotherapy for palliation
• stereotactic body radiation treatment for palliation