Radiation-induced hypothyroidism (RIHT)

What knowledge from a review of retrospective literature can be applied to reduce incidence of RIHT following head and neck radiotherapy?

Published on December 1, 2021

The phrase ‘head and neck cancers’ (HNC) refers to a heterogenous group of diagnoses1, 2, 3. Cancer Research UK4 ranks the head and neck as the eighth most prevalent cancer site nationwide, accounting for 3% of all new oncological referrals. Across the developed world, these are cancers of adulthood, with incidence generally peaking around the seventh decade of life and remaining high thereafter. Survival is on the rise, owing to research and modern technological advances5.

HNC treatment varies depending upon primary site and tumour characteristics3. Radiotherapy is integral to UK treatment. Three-dimensional conformal radiotherapy (3DCRT) has long been superseded by intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for head and neck cancer treatment, though both modalities are utilised for HNC6, 7. IMRT provides greater protection of organs at risk (OARs), abundant in the head and neck region,...

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