title: [Reirradiation of head and neck cancers].
abstract: Locally advanced head and neck cancers are primarily treated by a multimodal approach, including a combination of surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy. However, local relapse rate in a previously irradiated area remains high. Reirradiation for a nonoperable recurrence or a new primary tumour is now a therapeutic option thanks to technical progresses. This review presents results of published series in terms of toxicity and tumour response. All the publications are heterogeneous (population, dose, fractionation, concomitant chemotherapy or targeted therapy) and it is thus difficult to compare results. Reirradiation is feasible and appears less toxic with new techniques such as image guided radiotherapy (IMRT) or stereotactic radiotherapy, which could offer precise radiation delivery while sparing healthy tissues. Concomitant chemotherapy or targeted therapy may improve local control. Prospective evaluation of tumour response and complications is necessary.
authors.affiliation: Département Universitaire de Radiothérapie, Centre Oscar-Lambret, 3 rue Frédéric-Combemale, 59000 Lille, France. b-comet@o-lambret.fr
authors.forename: B
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Comet
authors.forename: E
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Lartigau
mesh_terms: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000971:Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols / Q000627:therapeutic use; D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy / Q000601:surgery; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy; D019583:Dose Fractionation, Radiation; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D006801:Humans; D015337:Multicenter Studies as Topic; D009364:Neoplasm Recurrence, Local / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D016634:Radiosurgery; D011878:Radiotherapy / Q000379:methods; D050397:Radiotherapy, Intensity-Modulated; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents