About this Book

Radiotherapy is a crucial treatment modality for head and neck cancers, encompassing a range of malignancies in the upper aerodigestive tract. Advanced approaches, such as intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) and particle therapy, with the emergence of image-guided radiation therapy (IGRT) techniques, offer enhanced precision and improved outcomes. Encouragingly, combining radiotherapy with chemotherapy has shown promising results in locally advanced cases. However, the proximity of tumors to critical structures remains challenging to manage acute and late toxicities, which demands innovative strategies to reduce radiation-related side effects. Addressing long-term toxicities is an essential research focus, with efforts toward adaptive radiotherapy, radioprotective agents, and other novel treatment techniques. These endeavors aim to mitigate radiation-induced fibrosis, dysphagia, dysphonia, and secondary malignancies, thereby enhancing patients' quality of life. Moreover, advances in multimodal imaging techniques, including computed tomography (CT), magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), positron emission tomography (PET), and onboard volumetric image systems, have facilitated treatment planning, target delineation, and response assessment during and after radiotherapy. Thus, radiotherapy continues to be an integral component in head and neck cancer treatment, and ongoing research efforts are directed toward overcoming challenges related to precision, toxicities, and long-term outcomes.