Preliminary results of the application of Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy (VMAT) for head and neck cancer at Vinmec International Hospital: 5 patients institutional experience

Summary

Radiotherapy would be effective for head and neck cancer (HNC) in the definitively and adjuvatly setting. Since 2010, Volumetric Modulated Arc Therapy is considered as the standard of care for HNC at the international cancer centres. Vinmec Radiotherapy centre has officially applied this for some HNC patients since December 2014. This study aim at evaluating the VMAT planning process, early response and early morbidities of head and neck chemoradiotherapy with SIB – VMAT technique.

Objectives and method: Perspectively described the study of 5 HNCsdone VMAT including 01 nasopharyngeal cancer, 04 oropharyngeal cancer (01 tonsil, 05 base of tongue). Contouring and designing target volumes and OARs by RTOG atlases and ICRU 83 report, and standard clinical trials of radiotherapy. Clinical response evaluated with WHO criteria, early morbidities with RTOG standards.

Results: All patients were planned successfully, matched all dose constraints, QA was perfectly done and matched. 01 complete response, 04 very good partial response. 01 unacceptable oral mucositis (grade 3), 04 patients with minimal mucositis, no patient should be interrupted treatment due to the side effects of radiotherapy.

Conclusion: Priliminarily, VMAT showed effectively and safely for the management of HNC with good object response and minimal morbidities.