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The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of oral cavity cancer

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Plast Aesthet Res 2016;3:158-66.
10.20517/2347-9264.2016.13 |  © 2016 Plastic and Aesthetic Research
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Abstract

Radiotherapy plays a critical role in the treatment of oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma as monotherapy in early stage cancer or combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy in advances ones. Recent developments in the imaging of cancer and radiation technology have allowed developing more precise delivery of treatment with recent data demonstrating improvement in survival and lessening of adverse toxics effects of radiation. This review will focus in the recent advances and current state-of-the-art in radiation oncology both external beam radiotherapy and brachytherapy. As complexity of cancer treatments increases a close coordination between head-neck surgeons and radiation oncologist is needed due to a significant proportion of patients will be treated with combined modality therapy.

Keywords

Radiotherapy, intensity modulated radiation therapy, high dose rate, low dose rate, head neck cancer, brachytherapy

Introduction

Although surgery is the recommended treatment for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma (OCSCC),[1] radiotherapy (RT) plays a capital role in the treatment of OCSCC either exclusively or as adjuvant after surgery.

RT may be administered using two techniques, which, in turn, are likely to be combined together in the specific case of OCSCC: external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) and brachytherapy (BT). Usually patients with early stage disease are treated exclusively radical radiotherapy; however, patients with unresectable or advanced disease will receive radiotherapy plus chemotherapy or targeted therapy with monoclonal antibodies against epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) in order to enhance the cytotoxic effect of radiation.

The present manuscript is a revision of most important manuscripts concerning a large and extended bibliography has been performed in order to elucidate the current role of RT in the treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the oral cavity.

Radiotherapy techniques overview

Currently standard EBRT is based on the assessment of target volumes to irradiate and organs at risk to protect in 3D-computed tomography (CT) simulation plus multimodal images (e.g., positron emission tomography-CT, magnetic resonance imaging).[2-6] Delivery of treatment should be based on intensity modulated radiation therapy[7] (IMRT) which involves the use of multiple computer-aided beams of inhomogeneous radiation, allow dose shaping the spatial shape of treatment volume, improving the coverage of target area and the protection of healthy tissue [Figure 1]. When using IMRT different treatment volumes (e.g., macroscopic tumor vs. elective nodal levels) receive a different dosage during the same fraction, without increasing the number of RT sessions, so the intensity of treatment is adjusted to each volume of interest by dose gradients.[8] IMRT compared with traditional 2D-EBRT has been shown to improve toxicity[9] and survival[10] in patients with head neck cancer.

The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of oral cavity cancer

Figure 1. Postoperative intensity modulated radiation therapy plan for an oral tongue squamous cell carcinoma pT2 pN1 M0. High dose encompass risk volumes (blue: ipsilateral nodal bed. purple: tumor bed) while sparing healthy organ: parotids glands (orange) spinal cord (green) mandible and larynx (courtesy of Dr. Enrique Miragall from Fundación ERESA)

Traditionally BT implant has been performed with low dose rate (LDR) by inserting iridium needles (192Ir) mainly; this technique has been gradually displaced by the so-called high dose rate (HDR) BT [Figure 2] due to its advantages of radiation protection of medical personnel, better dose distribution and shorter duration of treatment.[11] However, the accelerated treatment and high dose per fraction used in HDR could lead to a decrease in the therapeutic ratio because of the risk of complications in extreme cases.[12] Liu et al.[13] conducted a meta-analysis to compare HDR BT vs. LDR BT in the treatment of OCSCC. No statistically significant difference was found in the odds ratio (OR) between the group of patients treated with LDR or HDR in terms of local recurrence OR = 1.12, mortality OR = 1.01, and complications grade
3-4 OR = 0.86.

The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of oral cavity cancer

Figure 2. High dose rate brachytherapy for oral tongue carcinoma. (A) showing external outward appearance of percutaneous catheters for after loading technique; (B) digital radiographic reconstruction of the implant for planning purposes; (C) computed tomography axial view showing high isodoses lines covering tumor bed but sparing contralateral tongue, mandible and lips (courtesy of Dr. José Luis Guinot from Instituto Valenciano de Oncología)

The equivalent fractionation and total dosing between LDR and HDR is unknown. Neither the Groupe Européen de Curiethérapie-European Society for Radiotherapy and Oncology (GEC-ESTRO)[11] nor the American Brachytherapy Society[14] came to publish a consensus, although they recommended not to exceed a dose 6 Gy per fraction. In the comparative meta-analysis of Liu et al.,[13] the mean dose administered was 66.17 Gy in LDR group and 50.75 Gy in the HDR. Radiobiological studies suggest that the optimal dose for exclusive HDR is about 50 Gy[15,16] consistent with data from Liu et al.[13] GEC-ESTRO has published recommendations[17] for the calculation of equivalent doses between different protocols and BT techniques.

The main indication for combining EBRT and BT is the need to irradiate the cervical lymph node chains when the risk of involvement is significant due to the primary site,[18] tumor thickness greater than 4 mm[19] and stage cT2-T3.

Stages I-II

In treating early OCSCC the best results were obtained when BT is part of the treatment, either exclusively or as tumor overdose after EBRT.[11] Evidence supporting this practice is based entirely on retrospective series. Even with the advent of IMRT, BT administration is advantageous in terms of shaping and uniformity of dose[20] and tumor control.[21] Table 1 summarizes the results of selected series of OCSCC patients treated with radical BT with or without EBRT.[12,22-47] In the case of floor of mouth stage cT1 local control is 93-95% and 72-88% for stage cT2. Local control in cancer of mobile tongue is achieved in 79-97% for stage I and 65-95% for stage II.

Table 1

Radical brachytherapy for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma only, not including other head and neck sites

StudiesNo. of patientsSiteTechniqueRadiotherapy schedule5-year local control (%)5-year survival (%)
Lau et al.[12] 199627TongueHDRBT only, 45.5 Gy @6.5 Gy5392
Leung et al.[22] 200219TongueHDRBT only, 45-63 Gy (median 55 Gy, ten fractions)94.7 (4-year)NS
Martínez-Monge
et al.[23] 2009
8Oral cavityHDREBRT 45 + BT 16 Gy @4 Gy86 (7-year)52.3 (7-year)
Guinot et al.[24] 201033TongueHDREBRT 55 + BT 18 Gy @3 Gy7974
17TongueHDRBT only 44 Gy @4 Gy
Inoue et al.[28] 200125TongueHDRBT only 60 Gy @6 Gy87
26LDRBT only 70 Gy84
Yamazaki et al.[29] 200358TongueHDRBT only 60 Gy @6 Gy84
341LDRBT only 70 Gy80
Yamazaki et al.[30] 200780TongueHDREBRT 37 Gy + BT 36-60 Gy85
217LDR 226RaEBRT 29 Gy + BT 59-94 Gy74
351LDR 192IrEBRT 29 Gy + BT 59-94 Gy72
Kakimoto et al.[32] 201114Tongue (T3)HDREBRT 30 Gy + 60 Gy71 (2-year)
61LDREBRT 30 Gy + 72 Gy62
Akiyama et al.[33] 201217TongueHDRBT only 54 Gy @6 Gy88
34BT only 60 Gy @6 Gy88
Donath et al.[34] 199513Oral cavityHDRBT only 45-50 Gy @4.5-5 Gy92
Inoue et al.[35] 199816Floor or MouthHDREBRT 30-40 Gy + BT 36-48 Gy @6 Gy94
41LDR 198AuEBRT 30-40 Gy + BT 65-85 Gy69
Matsumoto et al.[36] 201367TongueHDREBRT 20 Gy + BT 50 Gy9488.7
Khalilur et al.[37] 2011125TongueLDR70 Gy86
Vedasoundaram
et al.[38] 2014
33Bucal mucosaHDRBT only 38.5 Gy @3.5 Gy
EBRT 50 Gy + BT 21 Gy @3.5 Gy
92.3
Lee et al.[39] 201416Oral cavityHDRBT only 50
Gy @5 Gy
EBRT 50 Gy +BT 35 Gy @5 Gy
84 (3-year)70
Tuček et al.[40] 201420TongueHDRBT only 54 gy @3 Gy8575
Oota et al.[25] 2006433TongueLDRBT only 70 Gy
EBRT 35 Gy + BT 60 Gy
85.6
Pernot et al.[41] 1996552TongueLDRBT only 66 - 75 Gy90.571.5
207FOM
Lefebvre et al.[42] 1994429OCLDRBT only 66 Gy90
Mazeron et al.[43] 1991279Tongue & FOMLDRBT only 60-70 Gy87-93
Marsiglia et al.[44] 2002160FOMLDR88-9376
Dearnaley et al.[45] 1991149Tongue & FOMLDRBT only90
Fujita et al.[46] 1999207TongueLDREBRT 30 Gy + BT 50-60 Gy
BT only 65-70 Gy
82.2
Bachaud et al.[27] 199494Tongue & FOMLDREBRT 48 Gy + BT 26 Gy
BT only 66 Gy
61
Ihara et al.[47] 2005117TongueLDREBRT 30 Gy + BT 65 Gy
BT only 70 Gy
59.254

Stages III-IV

Usually the treatment of advanced cancer of OCSCC has been included in the group of “advanced head and neck cancer” (AHNC) because of this the indications, techniques and results from clinical trials are fully applicable.

Radiotherapy alone

Modification of EBRT fractionation allows to intensify radiation dose by means of two way: (a) increase in the total dose with hyperfractionation; and (b) shorten the duration of using accelerated fractionation radiotherapy.

Two meta-analyses of randomized trials[48,49] comparing conventional fractionation EBRT (CF-EBRT) against modified fractionation EBRT (MF-EBRT) were published. Bourhis et al.[48] analyzes all clinical trials for all locations of the head and neck (12.6% of cases OCSCC), however data are presented separately depending on location; Glenny et al.[49] examined trials for oral cavity and oropharynx cancer only.

Bourhis et al.[48] found a statistically significant benefit in terms of overall survival (OS) HR = 0.92 in favor of MF-EBRT as well as an improvement in locoregional control (LRC) HR = 0.82. Hyperfractionated EBRT was also significantly better in terms of OS than accelerated EBRT, with an absolute benefit of 8% at 5 years.

Glenny et al.[49] reported that MF-EBRT, reduces overall mortality, HR = 0.86, and increased LRC HR = 0.79. Trials included as "purely hyperfractionated" also showed a significant gain in OS compared with the accelerated fractionation HR = 0.78.

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy combination

Pignon et al.[50] performed a meta-analysis on benefit of chemotherapy (CMT) added to EBRT in head and neck cancer (MACH-NC). Overall improvement in OS was demonstrated when chemotherapy is added to radiation. Maximum benefit was found when CMT is administered concurrently with EBRT: 5-year OS 8% improvement. The benefit of CRT is applicable to all locations of the head and neck.[51]

Two randomized trials have investigated whether the addition of chemotherapy to MF-EBRT is superior to CRT (CF-EBRT) or MF-EBRT alone.

The French Group of Radiation Oncology of Head and Neck Cancer (GORTEC)[52] randomized patients into three arms: accelerated EBRT alone, CF-EBRT plus CMT or accelerated EBRT plus CMT. No statistically significant difference was found between the treatment groups at 3-year OS: 32.2% vs. 37.6% vs. 34.1%, nor distant metastasis (DM). However, both locoregional failure (LCF) (49.9% vs. 41.7% vs. 45.4%) and progression-free survival (PFS) (32.2% vs. 37.6% vs. 34.1%) were significantly lower in the accelerated EBRT arm. Mucosal acute toxicity and the need for feeding tube were significantly higher in patients treated with MF-EBRT.

In the second study by the Radiation Therapy Oncology Group (RTOG)[53] patients were randomized to MF-EBRT alone or FM-EBRT plus CMT. No statistically significant difference was found in 8-year OS (48% in both arms) LRF (37% vs. 39%) PFS (42% vs. 41%) or DM (15% vs. 13 %) No statistically significant differences in toxicity were found either. In conclusion, no advantage in combining MF-EBRT and CMT have been proved so far.

Target therapy

EGFR over expression leads to decreased survival and increased risk of local and regional recurrence in head and neck cancer.[54] The inhibition of EGFR by monoclonal antibodies (cetuximab) associated with EBRT in patients with non-operated AHNC showed an increase 5-year OS (46% vs. 36%) and LRC (47% vs. 34%) compared with EBRT alone.[55] Notably in this trial did not include patients with OCSCC therefore clinical benefit in this group of patients is presently unknown.

Nowadays, the standard of treatment for non-operable AHNC, including OCSCC, is EBRT plus CMT despite the fact that its benefit in OS and LRC probability equals of the hyperfractionated-EBRT. The reasons that have led to this situation are basically two: (1) logistics, due to the consumption of resources and the drawbacks associated with treating patients twice a day, for 7-8 weeks; and (2) the development of high conformation techniques as IMRT, which allow to exploit the different sensitivity to radiation of the tumor and healthy tissues using a single fraction per day with a shorter overall time of treatment, usually 5-6 weeks.

Postoperative radiation therapy

Adjuvant EBRT

The value of postoperative radiotherapy (PORT) for AHNC, was established by Fletcher and Evers[56] and Marcus et al.[57] in 1970’s. The evidence that proves the usefulness of PORT has been based on retrospective studies of large groups of patients. Due to the inherent bias in such kind of studies the survival benefit of PORT is not fully confirmed, although there are no doubts about the gain in LRC.

Lundahl et al.[58] performed a retrospective, matched-pair analysis to compare surgery alone vs. surgery plus PORT. They found significant improvement in LRC and OS in the PORT group.

Lavaf et al.[59] and Kao et al.[60] analyzed patients with AHNC stage III-IV treated with surgery alone or surgery plus PORT from Surveillance Epidemiology End Results (SEER) data base. In multivariate analysis the survival benefit of PORT vs. surgery alone at 5-year was significant in both non-locally advanced tumors with lymph node metastasis (51.6% vs. 40.6%) as in the case of locally advanced tumors with lymph node metastasis (35.3 % vs. 25.2%). Overall PORT significantly improved OS by 11% and cancer-specific survival by 8.6%. They showed a greater reduction in the risk of death in stage N2b-N3 compared to N1-N2a (HR = 0.62, 0.78 and 0.82 respectively). The magnitude of the reduction was larger for tumors of the oropharynx, hypopharynx and larynx compared to oral cavity (HR = 0.72, 0.66 and 0.62 respectively) Patients with lymph node metastasis and any tumor sites, all benefited from the administration of PORT although the gain is greater in high-risk disease.

Whereas PORT is not routinely indicated in patients with HNSCC stage pT1-2 pN1[61] because there is not definitive data supporting that approach. Moergel et al.[62] published a meta-analysis of studies in order to elucidate the role of PORT in patients pN1 with oral cavity and oropharynx primaries. Any firm conclusions could be drawn due to the heterogeneity of the studies, although it was evident more mortality (not significant) in the group treated with PORT (44% vs. 34%). Shrime[63] analyzed the benefit of PORT in patients with OCSCC pT1-2 pN1. PORT improved OS at 5 years [41.4% vs. 54.2% (P < 0.001)] of note PORT improved OS in T2 tongue and floor of mouth subgroup [52.3% vs. 37.9% (P = 0.002) and 39.9% vs. 17.7% (P = 0.003), respectively] but not significantly in T1 subgroup.

The hypothesis that early nodal metastases may express a more aggressive biology supports adjuvant therapy in stage III.[64]

Risk factors for locoregional recurrence

Extracapsular extension (ECE) in cervical lymph node metastases and the involvement of surgical resection margins (ISRM) are the most important prognostic factors for risk of LRC and death.

RTOG[65] stratified patients treated with PORT into 3 risk groups according to the presence of ECE, 2 or more lymph nodes with metastasis or ISRM. Group I were those with no more than 2 nodes affected without ECE; group II included patients with more than 2 positive lymph nodes or ECE, negative margins; group III comprised patients with ISRM. Significant difference was found in the rate of loco-regional recurrence at 5 years between groups I, II and III of 17%, 27% and 67% respectively and median OS at 5.6 years, 2 years and 1.5 years, respectively.

Langendijk et al.[66] conducted a multivariate analysis to define different prognostic groups based on pathologic features a series of 801 patients with AHNC treated with PORT. The final model identified 6 prognostic factors and grouped the patients into 3 risk groups [Table 2]. This model was validated by the Dutch Head and Neck Oncology Cooperative Group (DHNOCG) in a multicenter study.[67]

Table 2

Risk groups definition according multivariate analysis (recursive partitioning analysis) by Langendijk

RPA classDefinitionVUMC seriesVUMC series
LRC 5-yearOS 5-yearLRC 5-yearOS 5-year
Class I (intermediate risk)Free margins without ECE92%67%82%60%
Class II (high risk)T1, T2, T4 tumors with close or positive surgical margins; One lymph node metastasis with ECE78%50%82%50%
Class III (very high risk)T3 tumors with close or positive surgical margins; Multiple lymph node metastases with extranodal spread; N3 neck58%37%63%36%

Nowadays, there is consensus[68] to identify patients at high risk of recurrence after surgery who benefit from PORT: (1) major criteria: ECC or ISRM; and (2) minor criteria: inadequate surgical margins (< 5 mm), ≥ 2 lymph nodes metastases (N2b-N3), stage pT3-T4 even with negative margins, in primary oral cavity, metastases in levels IV and V, presence of PNI or LVI.

Perineural infiltration

One of most controversial point is the value of PORT when there is PNI but the absence of other factors associated with risk of recurrence. Neither in the analysis of Jonkman et al.[66] or its further validation,[67] PNI was found to be an independent prognostic factor. Bur et al.[69] after a systematic review on the potential benefit of PORT in patients with PNI concluded that there is insufficient evidence to recommend PORT routinely in these cases. The author suggests that in case of infiltration of cranial nerves or multiple PNI, PORT might be justified. PNI is associated with increased risk of nodal recurrence, therefore it is recommended to treat the neck in this scenario.

Time factor in PORT

Evidence exists suggesting that the risk of LRC is higher in patients with AHNC when receiving PORT more than 6 weeks after surgery,[70] OR: 2.89. Further work[71] confirmed elevated RR 1.28 on LRC and decrease in OS (RR: 1.16) per month of delay. The waiting list to start radiotherapy has negative effect on the prognosis according to a Dutch national study.[72]

The accelerated repopulation during radiotherapy is a cause of treatment failure, that can be increased by the undue prolongation of radiation therapy.[73] González Ferreira et al.[74] found an loss in LRC of 1-1.2% per extra-day or 12-14% per extra-week. Prolongation of radiotherapy negatively interferes LRC and OS even in case of CRT.[74]

Finally, the overall treatment time (OTT) from the day of surgery to the end of PORT showed prognostic significance for the LRC and OS in a randomized trial when the entire duration of treatment was greater than 13 weeks.[75] No other randomized studies have been published that would confirm this finding, a retrospective series found no prognostic association in the OTT with LRC neither OS.[76]

Intensification of adjuvant treatment

The value of dose escalation with PORT as a function of risk of recurrence has been explored in 2 prospective randomized trials. Peters and Withers[77] showed the benefit of a dose of 63 Gy in 1.8 Gy fractions in patients with ECE, positive or inadequate surgical margins. Ang et al.[75] published the results of a multicenter trial that randomized 151 patients with high-risk criteria (ECE and 2 or more additional criteria) between accelerated concomitant boost radiotherapy 63 Gy in 5 weeks or the same dose in conventional fractionation in 7 weeks. The accelerated treatment showed significantly improvement in LRC and OS when the interval between surgery and the start of PORT was not stretched or if the duration of the whole treatment (surgery plus PORT) no exceeded 13 weeks. Role of accelerated PORT is not firmly established, a confirmatory phase III Dutch trial (POPART CKTO 2003-11) is currently in recruitment period.

A meta-analysis[78] on the benefit of postoperative CRT confirmed the reduction in RR of LRC (RR = 0.59) and death (RR = 0.80) and improvement in median survival (from 22-32 months to 40-72 months). The authors state that the patients included in those trials were under 70 years and with good performance status, so the impact of the CRT in patients aged 70 or older with associated co-morbidities is unknown.[50,78] A pooled analysis[79] of 2 phase III trials from RTOG[80] and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC)[81] on the role of the postoperative CRT in adjuvant treatment of the SCCHN, confirmed that patients with ECE or ISMR were those who most benefit obtained with the administration of PORT chemoradiation in terms of risk reduction in LRC (48%) in time to progression (23%) and mortality (30%). Other pathological features commonly used to define patients at risk of relapse) were not so decisive influencing LRC, OS, neither benefit of CRT. However a updating of the RTOG 9501 trial[82] found no significant difference between patients treated with PORT alone and those treated CRT regarding LRC (28.8% vs. 22.3%, P = 0.1), DFS (19.1% vs. 20.1%, P = 0.25) or OS (27% vs. 29.1%, P = 0.31); an unplanned analysis on the subgroup of patients with ECE or ISMR showed that the combined treatment improved LRC (33.1% vs. 21%, P = 0.02) and DFS (12.3% vs. 18.4%, P = 0.05) but not OS (19.6% vs. 27.1%, P = 0.07).

On the technical aspects of PORT

PORT administration is a particular challenge from the point of view of the radiation oncologist. Anatomy distortion due to tumor resection, the presence of reconstruction flaps, prosthetic material and the position of scars may influence routes of dissemination and hamper assessing volumes at risk to irradiate. Due the narrow conformation of dose to the target volume by IMRT, failure to design an adequate treatment volume will leave untreated areas of unrecognized risk; on the contrary excessively large volumes lead to higher radiation exposure of healthy tissue regions with consequent toxicity.[83,84] Close collaboration between the radiation oncologist and head and neck surgeon is imperative when interpreting the pathological findings and surgical technique used; the engagement with radiologist and pathologist will be necessary in most cases. There is currently no international consensus on standard volumes for PORT irradiation in AHNC, but there are some guidelines published.[85-88].

Adjuvant brachytherapy

In the specific case of OCSCC, PORT can be performed in fully or partly by BT reaching an equivalent dose of 60-66 Gy (LDR or HDR) on the tumor bed when surgical margins are infiltrated (stages pT1-T3) EBRT is administered alone when cervical nodes are at risk or primary surgical bed is not amenable for BT. Adjuvant BT results are summarized in Table 3.[89-93] While in early-stage OCSCC treated with radical RT adding BT plays a critical role in cure and local control, it is not the case of adjuvant setting (early nor advanced stage OCSCC) as either LRC and OS are equivalent between PORT-EBRT or PORT-BT. Table 4 shows recent published studies on patients with advanced OCSCC treated with PORT IMRT-based.[94-103]

Table 3

Adjuvant brachytherapy for oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma

StudiesNo. of patientsSiteTechniqueRT schedule5-year local control (%)5-year-overall survival (%)
Goineau et al.[89] 2015112TongueLDREBRT: 60-66 Gy + BT 50-55 Gy7656
Petera et al.[90] 201530TongueHDRBT only 54 Gy @3 Gy85.4 (3-year)73 (3-year)
FOM
Lapeyre et al.[91] 200482TongueLDREBRT 48 Gy + BT 24 Gy
BT only 60 Gy
8180
FOM
Pernot et al.[92] 199597TongueLDRNS8479
FOM
Fietkau et al.[93] 199150TongueLDREBRT 55 Gy + BT 24.5 Gy94 (crude)84 (crude)
FOM
Table 4

Postoperative intensity modulated radiation therapy for oral cancer

StudiesNo. of patientsSiteRT scheduleLoco-regional controlOverall survival
Chan et al.[94] 2013180Oral83 (2-year)65 (2-year)
Hoffman et al.[95] 201518Oral cavity66 Gy IMRT with SIB78 (5-year)77 (5-year)
Sher et al.[96] 201130Oral64.13 Gy IMRT sequential boosting91 (2-year)85 (2-year)
Gomez et al.[97] 201135Oral60 Gy IMRT SIB77 (3-year)74 (3-year)
Chakraborty et al.[98] 201575OralIMRT volumetric88.9 (2-year)80.5 (2-year)
Studer et al.[99] 201299 (R0-1)
17 (R2)
Oral (primary + recurrent)70 Gy IMRT SIB80 (4-year)
35 (4-year)
79 (4-year)
30 (4-year)
Collan et al.[100] 201040Oral58 Gy IMRT sequential boosting87.5 (5-year)75 (5-year)
Geretschläger et al.[101] 201253Oral66 Gy IMRT sequential boosting79 (3-year)73 (3-year)
Yao et al.[102] 200755 (5 p definitive RT)Oral66 Gy IMRT SIB82 (3-year)82 (3-year)
Daly et al.[103] 201137 (7 definitive RT)Oral66 Gy IMRT SIB53 (3-year)60 (3-year)

Acknowledgments

The photographs illustrating in this article was kindly provided by Dr. Enrique Miragall from Fundación ERESA [Figure 1] and Dr. José Luis Guinot from Instituto Valenciano de Oncología [Figure 2].

Financial support and sponsorship

Nil.

Conflicts of interest

There are no conflicts of interest.

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Cabrera-Rodríguez JJ. The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of oral cavity cancer. Plast Aesthet Res 2016;3:158-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2016.13

AMA Style

Cabrera-Rodríguez JJ. The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of oral cavity cancer. Plastic and Aesthetic Research. 2016; 3: 158-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2016.13

Chicago/Turabian Style

Cabrera-Rodríguez, Joaquín J.. 2016. "The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of oral cavity cancer" Plastic and Aesthetic Research. 3: 158-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2016.13

ACS Style

Cabrera-Rodríguez, JJ. The role of radiotherapy in the treatment of oral cavity cancer. Plast. Aesthet. Res. 2016, 3, 158-66. http://dx.doi.org/10.20517/2347-9264.2016.13

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Dr. Joaquín J. Cabrera-Rodríguez, M.D., is an Attending Physician in the Department of Radiation Oncology at Hospital Universitary Infanta Cristina, Badajoz, Spain. His interests mainly focus on head and neck cancer and lung cancer. His is Tutor for the Ration Oncology Residency Program in the hospital.

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ISSN 2349-6150 (Online)   2347-9264 (Print)

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