ALTERED FRACTIONATION RADIOTHERAPY FOR HEAD AND NECK CANCER

Abstract

The purpose of the review is to analyze and summarize literature data about the role of altered fractionation radiotherapy for head and neck cancer. A total of 46 English-language literature sources were analyzed. They provide a radiobiological rationale for altered fractionation, whose efficacy as compared with conventional radiation therapy, has been confirmed in clinical studies. The results of these studies indicate the greatest benefit with the application of hyperfractionation and moderately accelerated fractionation in patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck.

Keywords

• head and neck cancer
• radiotherapy
• hyperfractionation
• accelerated fractionation