Head Neck. 2022 Mar 4. doi: 10.1002/hed.27021. Online ahead of print.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Submandibular gland (SMG) transfer decreased radiation-associated xerostomia in the 2/3-dimensional radiotherapy era. We evaluated the dosimetric implications of SMG transfer on modern intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) plans.
METHODS: Eighteen oropharynx cancer patients underwent SMG transfer followed by IMRT; reoptimized plans using the baseline SMG location were generated. Mean salivary gland, oral cavity, and larynx doses were compared between clinical plans and reoptimized plans.
RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in mean SMG dose (27.53 Gy vs. 29.61 Gy) or total salivary gland dose (26.12 Gy vs. 26.41 Gy) was observed with or without SMG transfer (all p > 0.05). Mean oral cavity and larynx doses were not statistically different. Neither tumor site, target volume crossing midline, stage, nor salivary gland volumes were associated with mean doses.
CONCLUSIONS: Salivary gland doses were similar with or without SMG transfer. IMRT likely decreases the benefit of SMG transfer on the risk of radiation-associated xerostomia.
PMID:35243719 | DOI:10.1002/hed.27021
