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The use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy in the treatment of oropharyngeal carcinoma

Purpose of reviewThe management of oropharyngeal cancers continues to evolve. Due to the functional consequences of surgery, organ preservation strategies with radiation combined with chemotherapy have been developed. Newer strategies to diminish the acute and late toxicities and improve the functional outcome of organ preservation strategies are being developed. Intensity-modulated radiation therapy is a relatively new, advanced form of radiation therapy that is being studied in an effort to improve local control rates and minimize the late effects of treatment. Recent findingsSeveral recent studies have further supported the role for radiation therapy and chemotherapy as part of organ preservation strategies for cancers of the oropharynx. With the intensification of treatment, however, toxicities and functional impairment occur and have not been well documented in the past. Several recent studies report on the toxicities of traditional treatment methods. In addition, data show that intensity-modulated radiation therapy may be superior in terms of limiting toxicity compared with standard radiation therapy techniques. The integration of intensity-modulated radiation therapy with chemotherapeutic and radioprotective agents to further improve the therapeutic window for radiation therapy is being actively pursued. SummaryThis paper reviews recent advances in radiotherapy for oropharynx cancer and the use of intensity-modulated radiation therapy.