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Performing intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) on head and neck cancer patients (HNCPs) requires robust training and experience. Thus, in 2011, the Head and Neck Cancer Working Group (HNCWG) of the Italian Association of Radiation Oncology (AIRO) organized a study group with the aim to run a literature review to outline clinical practice recommendations, to suggest technical solutions and to advise target volumes and doses selection for head and neck cancer IMRT. The main purpose was therefore to standardize the technical approach of radiation oncologists in this context. The following paper describes the results of this working group. Volumes, techniques/strategies and dosage were summarized for each head-and-neck site and subsite according to international guidelines or after reaching a consensus in case of weak literature evidence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A case study is presented of a 48-year-old man who developed a nodal recurrence of cancer in a spared parotid gland following induction chemotherapy and intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) for nasopharyngeal cancer. Topics include studies of recurrence risks of head and neck cancers treated with parotid-sparing IMRT, sparing of submandibular glands, and salivary flow preservation.