[Impact of reconstructive or minimal invasive surgery on the assessment of current definitions of postoperative clinical target volume for head and neck cancers]

Cancer Radiother. 2020 Oct;24(6-7):649-657. doi: 10.1016/j.canrad.2020.05.012. Epub 2020 Aug 8.
[Article in French]

Abstract

Advances in the reconstructive surgery and minimally invasive endonasal endoscopic surgery of head and neck is poorly evaluated in terms of their impact on radiotherapy planning and outcomes. These surgical advances have resulted in reduced morbidity with equivalent or better tumor control. In the absence of a recommendation on how to delineate target volumes in patients with flaps or to consider margins after endoscopic endonasal surgery, radiotherapy practices are inevitably heterogeneous. Efforts are needed to increase the therapeutic index of postoperative radiotherapy in these situations. We analysed the rare existing literature and outlined a preliminary basis for a recommendation. Strengthening of multidisciplinarity to accurately define target volumes in these complex and relatively new situations, and "delineation concertation meetings" between radiologists, surgeons and radiation oncologists could probably contribute to improved outcomes.

Keywords: Cancer; Chirurgie; Delineation; Délinéation; Flap; Head and neck; Lambeau; Mini-invasive; Minimal invasive; Postoperative; Postopératoire; Reconstruction; Reconstructive; Sinonasal; Sinus; Surgery; Target volume; Voies aérodigestives supérieures; Volume cible.

Publication types

  • Review

MeSH terms

  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / pathology
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
  • Head and Neck Neoplasms / surgery*
  • Humans
  • Minimally Invasive Surgical Procedures*
  • Plastic Surgery Procedures*
  • Radiotherapy Dosage
  • Tumor Burden / radiation effects*