Feasibility of IMRT Modulation to Account for Scattered Radiation From Dental Fillings in Head and Neck Cancer

Arms (1)

1. type

   EXPERIMENTAL

   label

   IMRT Modulation

   description

   All patients will undergo a computed tomography (CT) simulation study +/- a positron emission tomography (PET) scan using ≤ 3mm slices for radiation treatment planning. A standard, "non-filling" optimized IMRT (Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy) plan will be generated and patients will be treated with megavoltage radiation over a course of \> 6 weeks with a planned tumor dose of \> 60 Gy. A medical doctor will perform weekly mucositis evaluation and grading for the measured site once a week during radiation therapy Modulation of an IMRT plan to reduce the dose to less than 35 Gy delivered to adjacent normal mucosa surrounding the dental filling without compromising normal tissue or tumor doses.

   interventionNames

   1. Radiation: Intensity Modulated Radiation Therapy

Primary outcomes (2)

1. measure

   Time Until the Maximum Oral Mucositis Measured From the Start of Radiation Treatment.

   timeFrame

   3 years

   description

   The time to onset of oral mucositis was measured from the start of radiation treatment until oral mucositis was visual observed by a clinician during the weekly checkup for the first time. Analysis done by Kaplan-Meier. Adverse events were graded according to Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) Version (V) 4.0. Medical doctor performed evaluation and grading of clinical and functional mucositis for the measured site weekly during the radiation treatment course and biweekly after completion of radiation until oral mucositis was \< grade 2. A pain medication assessment was done for each mucositis time point. Patients completed the Oral Mucositis Weekly Questionnaire-Head and Neck cancer (OMWQ-HN) during and after treatment until oral mucositis is \< grade 2.