A Comparison of Outcomes Using Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy and 3-Dimensional Conformal Radiation Therapy in Treatment of Oropharyngeal Cancer

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Abstract
Radiation therapy is an important treatment modality in the management of head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (SCC). Studies have shown that the addition of postoperative radiotherapy improves locoregional control and survival in patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer.1-3 However, surgical resection of advanced oropharyngeal SCC often results in substantial impairment in speech and swallowing, which negatively affects quality of life, nutrition, and social functioning. Thus, radiotherapy with and without concurrent chemotherapy is being increasingly used as an organ preservation treatment modality.1 Unfortunately, the benefits of radiotherapy in the management of head and neck cancers are also often offset by the development of severe acute and late toxic effects such as dysphagia, aspiration, laryngeal edema, and xerostomia. Other adverse effects may manifest months to years after radiation therapy because of fibrosis and vascular and neural damage4,5 and result in substantial swallowing dysfunction.

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