title: Impact of primary tumor volume on local control after definitive radiotherapy for head and neck cancer.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  The impact of primary tumor volume (pTV) on local control after definitive radiotherapy (RT) for head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is unclear.
  
  
  METHODS
  Pertinent literature was reviewed to address the impact of pTV on local control after definitive RT for HNSCC.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Reproducibility of pTV calculations is probably influenced by interobserver variability and may be reduced by relying on experienced observers. The impact of pTV on local control after definitive RT is probably influenced by primary site. A relatively limited impact of pTV on local control after RT for oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinomas (SCCs) might be attributable to human papillomavirus (HPV) positivity.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  pTV may be a useful parameter to select patients for treatment with definitive RT, particularly for those with laryngeal SCCs. Patients with high-volume primary cancers, in which the probability of local control with a functional larynx is low, are likely better treated with surgery.
authors: Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Florida College of Medicine, Gainesville, Florida.
authors: William M
authors: WM
authors: Mendenhall
authors: Anthony A
authors: AA
authors: Mancuso
authors: Primoz
authors: P
authors: Strojan
authors: Jonathan J
authors: JJ
authors: Beitler
authors: Carlos
authors: C
authors: Suarez
authors: Tsair-Fwu
authors: TF
authors: Lee
authors: Johannes A
authors: JA
authors: Langendijk
authors: June
authors: J
authors: Corry
authors: Avraham
authors: A
authors: Eisbruch
authors: Alessandra
authors: A
authors: Rinaldo
authors: Alfio
authors: A
authors: Ferlito
mesh_terms: D002294:Carcinoma, Squamous Cell / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D006801:Humans; D000077195:Squamous Cell Carcinoma of Head and Neck; D047368:Tumor Burden
keywords: carcinoma; head and neck cancer; local control; primary tumor volume; radiotherapy