Optical Coherence Tomography in Patients With Radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer

Live Laser Microscopic Evaluation (OCT) of Radiation Induced Preclinical Alterations of the Skin in Head and Neck Cancer Patients

The purpose of this study is to determine whether any eventual skin damage caused by radiation therapy can be detected and monitored at a subclinical level via optical coherence tomography (OCT). Another key question is whether subclinical OCT detected skin damage correlates with acute and late clinical toxicity.

Head and neck cancer patients that meet the eligibility criteria and singned the informed consent will undergo OCT-measurements before, during and after the course of radiation therapy. At the same time-points the skin areas are evaluated with dermatoscopy and patients are asked to self-assess their quality of life (EORTC QLQ C30 and respective head and neck module H&N 43).

Inclusion Criteria:

• Patients with cancer located at: nasopharynx, oropharynx, hypopharynx, larynx, oral cavity and definitive or adjuvant radiation- or radio-chemotherapy

Exclusion Criteria:

• reduced mental capacity
• treatment with C225 Cetuximab
• bearded patients
• overt skin disease
• vast tattoos in the neck region