Reduced radiation after surgery for advanced head and neck cancer
Part of Cancer clinical trials.
This trial looks at whether giving less (de-escalated) radiation after surgery is as effective and safer for people with locally advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma who had a strong response to treatment before surgery. If you had no remaining cancer or only very small amounts of cancer left in the surgical specimen, this approach may help reduce side effects while keeping control of the disease.
Summary written for real people, not researchers, by Clin2.
Who can take part
- You have head and neck squamous cell carcinoma in the mouth, throat, voice box, or nearby areas, with specific advanced stage (III to IVB).
- You already had neoadjuvant treatment and radical surgery, completed within the last 6 weeks; then you are being considered for postoperative radiation.
- Your pathology report from surgery must show either pCR (no viable tumor cells) or MPR (≤10% residual viable tumor cells).
- Your surgery must have a negative margin, and there must be no extranodal extension (no cancer spread beyond the lymph node capsule).
- You are age 18 to 70, and your general activity level is ECOG 0–2 (able to do self-care, with limited symptoms).
- You must be able to take treatment safely (blood counts, liver/kidney tests, and clotting) and have no major exclusions like pregnancy, severe infections, or significant uncontrolled heart disease.
Quick eligibility check
Answer a few plain-language questions, based on this study's own requirements, to get a preliminary sense of fit.
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