Abstract:
Head and neck malignancy is a very common cancer among Indian males. This is attributable to common habit of chewing Tobacco, Gutkha, beetel and beetel nuts etc. Presentation is ususally at advanced stage. Quiet often surgery is ruled out due to advanced stage. Options for management left are Chemotherapy and Radiotherapy. Usually concurrent Chemo Radiotherapy is given. Head and neck region is very complex anatomically. The aim of giving Radiotherapy in such cancers is to achieve maximum local control with minimal toxicity to normal and vital structures. In the past parallel opposing conventional beams were used and there was considerable damage to vital structures. Now a days treatment is delievered with highly sophisticated linear Accelerators. Intensity Modulated and image guided treatment is given. Treatment is verified at regular intervals. if any discrepancy found replanning is done. With the newer technologies it is possible to deliever Biological effective Dose to tumour for better control while restricting the radiation dose to vital structures. Doses close to 70Gy are given in concurrent setting and 60-66 Gy in post operative setting
