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.
Original language | English |
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Pages (from-to) | 1213-1222 |
Number of pages | 10 |
Journal | Head and Neck |
Volume | 44 |
Issue number | 5 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - May 2022 |
Keywords
- IMRT
- radiotherapy
- submandibular gland
- transfer surgery
- xerostomia