- © 2006 Marshfield Clinic
Postoperative Radiotherapy for Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck
- William M. Mendenhall, MD,
- Russell W. Hinerman, MD,
- Robert J. Amdur, MD,
- Robert S. Malyapa, MD, PhD,
- Christopher D. Lansford, MD,
- John W. Werning, MD and
- Douglas B. Villaret, MD
- William M. Mendenhall, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Russell W. Hinerman, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Robert J. Amdur, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Robert S. Malyapa, MD, PhD, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Christopher D. Lansford, MD, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- John W. Werning, MD, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Douglas B. Villaret, MD, Department of Otolaryngology, University of Florida, College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida
- Reprint Requests:
William M. Mendenhall, MD, Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida Shands Cancer Center, PO Box 100385, 2000 SW Archer Road, Gainesville, FL 32610-0385 USA. Tel.: 352-265-0287; Fax: 352-265-0759, Email: mendewil{at}shands.ufl.edu
Abstract
This review discusses the role of postoperative radiotherapy (RT) for patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Patients with unfavorable pathologic features have a high-risk of local–regional recurrence and a decreased likelihood of survival after surgery alone. Postoperative RT reduces the risk of local–regional failure and probably improves survival. Patients who are at high risk for recurrence may benefit from more aggressive altered fractionation schedules to decrease the overall time from surgery to the completion of RT. Adjuvant cisplatin-based chemotherapy also appears to improve the probability of cure in high-risk patients.
