Survey of current practices from the International Stereotactic Body Radiotherapy Consortium (ISBRTC) for head and neck cancers

Abstract

Aim: To provide a multi-institutional description of current practices of stereotactic body radiotherapy (SBRT) for head and neck cancer. Materials & methods: 15 international institutions with significant experience in head and neck SBRT were asked to complete a questionnaire covering clinical and technical factors. Results: SBRT is used 10–100% of the time for recurrent primary head and neck cancer, and 0–10% of the time in newly diagnosed disease. Five centers use a constraint for primary disease of 3–5 cm and 25–30 cc. Nine institutions apply a clinical target volume expansion of 1–10 mm and 14 use a planning target volume margin of 1–5 mm. Fractionation regimens vary between 15 and 22 Gy in 1 fraction to 30–50 Gy in 5 or 6 fractions. The risk of carotid blowout quoted in the re-irradiation setting ranges from 3 to 20%. Conclusion: There is considerable heterogeneity in patient selection and techniques in head and neck SBRT practice among experienced centers.