title: Combined modality therapy for thoracic and head and neck cancers: a review of updated literature based on a consensus meeting.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Combined modality therapy is a mainstay option for thoracic malignancies and head and neck cancers. The integration of different strategies is based on the multidisciplinary approach of modern clinical oncology. Radiation oncologists have to be educated, trained, and updated to provide state-of-the-art care to cancer patients and thus educational meetings are crucial.
  
  
  METHODS
  The Italian Association of Radiation Oncology Young Members Working Group (AIRO Giovani) organized its 8th national meeting, focused on combination therapy in lung, esophageal, and head and neck cancer (with a specific focus on larynx-preservation strategies for larynx/hypopharynx tumors), involving young professionals working in Italy. The meeting was addressed to young radiation oncologists, presenting state-of-the-art knowledge, based on the latest evidence in this field. We performed a review of the current literature based on the highlights of the Congress.
  
  
  RESULTS
  The multimodality approach of head and neck and thoracic malignancies includes surgery, chemotherapy, and radiotherapy, but also has to take into account new information and data coming from basic and translational research and including molecular biology, genetics, and immunology. All these aspects are crucial for the treatment of non-small-cell lung cancer and esophageal, esophagogastric junction, and larynx/hypopharynx malignancies. The integration of different treatments in the clinical decision-making process to combine therapies is crucial.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Combination therapy has proved to be a consolidated approach in these specific oncologic settings, highlighting the importance of multimodality management in modern clinical oncology. Dedicated meetings on specific topics are helpful to improve knowledge and skills of young professionals in radiation oncology.
authors:  Department of Oncology, Radiation Oncology, University of Turin, Turin - Italy.
authors: Pierfrancesco
authors: P
authors: Franco
authors:  Radiation Oncology, Ospedale Sacro Cuore-Don Calabria, Negrar (Verona) - Italy.
authors: Alba
authors: A
authors: Fiorentino
authors:  Department of Oncology, Proton Therapy Unit, Azienda Provinciale per i Servizi Sanitari (APSS), Trento - Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Dionisi
authors:  Radiotherapy Unit, Campus Bio-Medico University, Rome - Italy.
authors: Michele
authors: M
authors: Fiore
authors:  Radiation Oncology Department-Gemelli ART, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome - Italy.
authors: Silvia
authors: S
authors: Chiesa
authors:  Department of Radio-Oncology, IRCCS AOU San Martino IST, National Institute for Cancer Research, Genoa - Italy.
authors: Stefano
authors: S
authors: Vagge
authors:  Radiation Oncology Department-Gemelli ART, Sacred Heart Catholic University, Rome - Italy.
authors: Francesco
authors: F
authors: Cellini
authors:  Department of Radiation Oncology, Regional Oncological Hospital, Cagliari - Italy.
authors: Luciana
authors: L
authors: Caravatta
authors:  Department of Sensory Organs, Institute of Otorhinolaryngology, Audiology and Phoniatrics, Sapienza University, Rome - Italy.
authors: Mario
authors: M
authors: Tombolini
authors:  Radiotherapy and Radiosurgery Department, Humanitas Clinical and Research Center, Rozzano (Milan) - Italy.
authors: Fiorenza
authors: F
authors: De Rose
authors:  Department of Sperimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Radiation Oncology, AOU Careggi, Florence - Italy.
authors: Icro
authors: I
authors: Meattini
authors:  Radiation Oncology Department, ARNAS Civico Hospital, Palermo - Italy.
authors: Gianluca
authors: G
authors: Mortellaro
authors:  Radiotherapy Department, University Hospital 'Maggiore della Carità,' Novara - Italy.
authors: Giuseppina
authors: G
authors: Apicella
authors:  Radiotherapy Department, Centro REM, Catania - Italy.
authors: Lorenza
authors: L
authors: Marino
authors:  Department of Sperimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Radiation Oncology, AOU Careggi, Florence - Italy.
authors: Daniela
authors: D
authors: Greto
mesh_terms: D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000379:methods; D004943:Esophagogastric Junction / Q000473:pathology; D006258:Head and Neck Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy*; D064847:Multimodal Imaging; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D013274:Stomach Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000401:mortality / Q000628:therapy; D016896:Treatment Outcome