title: Contemporary radiotherapy in head and neck cancer: balancing chance for cure with risk for complication.
abstract: Radiotherapy plays an integral role in the management of most patients with cancers of the head and neck. Better understanding of radiobiology and radiation physics has allowed radiation oncologists to enhance the tumoricidal effects of radiation and reduce the severity of normal tissue toxicities. This article reviews the biologic foundation of head and neck radiotherapy, the physical principles and technological innovations that enable delivery of highly conformal radiation, the acute and late complications of radiation-based treatments, and the clinical evidence supporting contemporary practice.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA. alvin.cabrera@duke.edu
authors.forename: Alvin R
authors.initials: AR
authors.lastname: Cabrera
authors.forename: David S
authors.initials: DS
authors.lastname: Yoo
authors.forename: David M
authors.initials: DM
authors.lastname: Brizel
mesh_terms: D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D011832:Radiation Injuries / Q000209:etiology / Q000517:prevention & control*; D020266:Radiotherapy, Conformal; D012307:Risk Factors