Reduction of the dose of radiotherapy to the elective neck in head and neck squamous cell carcinoma; a randomized clinical trial. Effect on late toxicity and tumor control

Background and purposeA multi-center prospective randomized clinical trial has been performed investigating whether a reduction of the dose to the elective nodal sites in head and neck cancer delivered by intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) would result in a reduction of late side effects without compromising tumor control.Materials and methodsTwo hundred patients were included. The prescription dose to the elective nodal volumes was a...