A Feasibility Study of Adaptive Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

A Feasibility Study of Adaptive Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy in the Definitive Treatment of Head-and-Neck Cancer

Patients with head and neck cancer and are schedule to receive standard radiation therapy known as IMRT to treat cancer

In this study, we will plan additional measurements of the position of the patient's organs weekly during radiation treatment. We will analyze these measurements in order to evaluate whether we need to adjust our treatment procedures for the remainder of the treatments. We might adjust the dose of radiation received to specific organs in order to try to minimize the amount of radiation the healthy tissue receives.

Inclusion Criteria:

• Age >= 18
• Karnofsky Performance Status of >= 60
• New diagnosis of head-and-neck cancer, all subsites included (i.e. nasopharynx, oropharynx, oral cavity, hypopharynx, larynx.)
• All stages with measurable gross disease (>= 1.0 cm) by CT imaging
• Pathologic confirmation of squamous cell carcinoma by biopsy or cytology
• Signed study-specific consent form
• Sequential or concurrent chemotherapy is allowed but not mandated. (no chemotherapy is allowed if patient is judged not to be a candidate for chemotherapy by the medical oncologist)

Exclusion Criteria

• Age < 18
• Karnofsky Performance Status < 60
• Radiographic or pathologic evidence of distant metastatic disease (i.e. other than cervical lymph nodes)
• Prior radiation therapy to the head-and-neck region