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Nasopharyngeal Cancer

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Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy

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Abstract

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) is now the standard of care in the treatment of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC). NPC is a unique form of head and neck cancer given its proximity to several critical structures, and treatment primarily requires radiation therapy and chemotherapy. In this chapter, we explore clinical evidence in support of IMRT relative to conventional radiation therapy in terms of dosimetry and toxicity. We review how IMRT allows sparing of critical structures adjacent to NPC and specifically how parotid-sparing techniques have resulted in quality of life benefits for patients. Disease control outcomes with the use of IMRT have also been excellent. We also discuss the IMRT techniques established by Radiation Therapy Oncology Group and some differences in recommended doses and margins published by other institutions. The chapter concludes by reviewing exciting new directions regarding the use of radiation in NPC, the use of Epstein-Barr virus biomarkers and imaging predictors of outcomes, and potential forms of treatment intensification for high-risk NPC.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA

    Moses M. Tam M.D.

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, 1275 York Avenue, New York, NY, 10065, USA

    Nadeem Riaz M.D. & Nancy Y. Lee M.D.

Authors
  1. Moses M. Tam M.D.
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  2. Nadeem Riaz M.D.
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  3. Nancy Y. Lee M.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Nancy Y. Lee M.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Radiation Oncology, Kinki University Faculty of Medicine, Osaka-Sayama, Osaka, Japan

    Yasumasa Nishimura

  2. Department of Radiation Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, Texas, USA

    Ritsuko Komaki

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© 2015 Springer Japan

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Tam, M.M., Riaz, N., Lee, N.Y. (2015). Nasopharyngeal Cancer. In: Nishimura, Y., Komaki, R. (eds) Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy. Springer, Tokyo. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55486-8_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-4-431-55486-8_8

  • Publisher Name: Springer, Tokyo

  • Print ISBN: 978-4-431-55485-1

  • Online ISBN: 978-4-431-55486-8

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