A Dosimetric comparison between VMAT And IMRT planning techniques for head and neck cancers: A prospective observational study

Head and neck cancer (HNC) is a disease that is heterogeneous in nature, encompassing a diverse array of tumors that originate in the mandible, oral cavity, pharynx, larynx, nasal cavity, paranasal sinuses, and salivary glands. Globally, head and neck malignancies are the sixth most prevalent neoplasm. Approximately 60% of patients present with locally or regionally advanced disease, typically requiring combined modality therapy that includes surgery, radiotherapy, and either chemotherapy or no chemotherapy. Chemoradiotherapy is the established standard of care for patients with inoperable disease or patients for whom surgery would result in unacceptable morbidity. Current radiation techniques limit the dose due to both acute and late toxicities, as well as the complex anatomy of the head and neck region. There is a need for highly conformal techniques that reduce the dose to organs at risk while ensuring adequate target coverage.