Amir H. Safavi MD, MSc , Nancy Y. Lee MD , C. Jillian Tsai MD, PhD
{"title":"Principles and Paradigms of De-Escalated Elective Nodal Irradiation: Boldly Going Towards an Inflection Point in Head and Neck Radiotherapy","authors":"Amir H. Safavi MD, MSc , Nancy Y. Lee MD , C. Jillian Tsai MD, PhD","doi":"10.1016/j.semradonc.2025.01.001","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div><div>Fundamental axioms of elective nodal irradiation (ENI) for head and neck cancers merit re-examination in contemporary practice. Standard ENI doses to volumes bordering critical organs-at-risk increased during the transition from two-dimensional radiation planning to intensity-modulated radiotherapy, despite improvements in detection of occult nodal metastases with modern imaging, use of concurrent chemotherapy, and identification of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related radiosensitivity. Historical large ENI volumes covering low-risk nodal regions continue to be commonly used even as awareness grows regarding the predominant pattern-of-failure within existing gross disease. In this review, we outline principles for de-escalating head and neck ENI dose and volume and highlight the emerging paradigm of ENI omission. We also propose a three-part approach to ENI de-escalation, the rationale for early adoption of de-escalated ENI in the absence of level-one evidence, and strategies to promote early adoption in light of modest equipoise and an inflection point towards changing the status quo.</div></div>","PeriodicalId":49542,"journal":{"name":"Seminars in Radiation Oncology","volume":"35 2","pages":"Pages 143-156"},"PeriodicalIF":2.6000,"publicationDate":"2025-03-14","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Seminars in Radiation Oncology","FirstCategoryId":"3","ListUrlMain":"https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S1053429625000013","RegionNum":3,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q3","JCRName":"ONCOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Fundamental axioms of elective nodal irradiation (ENI) for head and neck cancers merit re-examination in contemporary practice. Standard ENI doses to volumes bordering critical organs-at-risk increased during the transition from two-dimensional radiation planning to intensity-modulated radiotherapy, despite improvements in detection of occult nodal metastases with modern imaging, use of concurrent chemotherapy, and identification of human papillomavirus (HPV)-related radiosensitivity. Historical large ENI volumes covering low-risk nodal regions continue to be commonly used even as awareness grows regarding the predominant pattern-of-failure within existing gross disease. In this review, we outline principles for de-escalating head and neck ENI dose and volume and highlight the emerging paradigm of ENI omission. We also propose a three-part approach to ENI de-escalation, the rationale for early adoption of de-escalated ENI in the absence of level-one evidence, and strategies to promote early adoption in light of modest equipoise and an inflection point towards changing the status quo.
期刊介绍:
Each issue of Seminars in Radiation Oncology is compiled by a guest editor to address a specific topic in the specialty, presenting definitive information on areas of rapid change and development. A significant number of articles report new scientific information. Topics covered include tumor biology, diagnosis, medical and surgical management of the patient, and new technologies.