A small number of head and neck cancer patients who are receiving radiation therapy experience anatomic changes (such as weight loss) that will harm the dose distribution. Radiation therapist Olga Hamming-Vrieze and her colleagues show that this dose distribution can be significantly improved through adaptation, although patient selection remains a challenge. Evaluating these anatomic changes appears to be less accurate than evaluating the differences in doses between the planned radiation doses, and those actually delivered.
The second part of the thesis investigates several biomarkers that can be tracked to further individualize head and neck cancer treatment: biomarkers that measure oxygen intake or activity in the tumor. Tracking changes in biomarkers during treatment can help with the selection of patients who will require adapted treatment, such as a locally delivered higher dose of radiation.
For practical information about the thesis defense, please read more.
: Olga Hamming-Vrieze, Adaptive Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer.
: prof. dr. M. Verheij, prof. dr. C.R.N. Rasch, and prof. dr. ir. J.J. Sonke.
: 18 September, VU University, Amsterdam.