Feasibility of VMAT and CBCT for Head and Neck Carcinomas

Feasibility of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy and Cone-Beam Computed Tomography for Head and Neck Carinomas: Analysis of Clinical Throughput and Patient Reported Outcomes.

This will be a prospective longitudinal study describing clinical throughput metrics and patient reported quality of life outcome measures for patients undergoing Volumetric modulated arc therapy (VMAT) with and without Cone-beam computed tomography (CBCT) for head and neck carcinoma at the British Columbia Cancer Agency.

1. VMAT for the treatment of patients with HNC will provide opportunities for image-guided radiotherapy using CBCT online correction to reduce systematic and random error.
2. Analysis of patient reported quality of life outcomes during VMAT, with and without CBCT acquisition, will be hypothesis generating.

Inclusion Criteria:

• age greater than 18 years
• undergoing radical radiation therapy for head and neck carcinoma at the BC Cancer Agency

Exclusion Criteria:

• treatment being offered is not for curative intent
• patient has received previous radiation for head and neck cancer
• patient has systemic lupus erythematosis or scleroderma
• patients has other autoimmune connective tissue disorders