Question

1 Why and when do we include the cervical nodes in Head & Neck treatments? What types of cancers are treated in the H&N class? Can we deliver radiotherapy treatment concomitant with chemotherapy? When is necessary to use MRI and when PET in registration with the CT scan? List some fractions regimen and the dose limits for critical organs. List all critical organs associated with H&N treatments with their tolerances according to Quantec

Answer 1

The lymphatic system is a major part of the immune system. lymphatic system is made up of various lymph nodes and vessels. The human body has hundreds of lymph nodes throughout different locations in the body. The lymph nodes located in the neck are referred to as cervical lymph nodes.
Cervical lymph nodes are responsible for fighting infection. Lymph nodes are essential to a healthy body and proper immune functioning.
The swelling of cervical lymph nodes is called lymphadenopathy, which causes the symptoms like
cervical lymph node swelling, bronchitis, common cold, ear infection, scalp infection, strep throat and tonsillitis.
So, during any of the above symptoms, cervical lymph nodes are included in the treatment.
H & N class cancer refers to Head and Neck cancers. There are various types of head and neck cancers. They are cancers of the mouth and the throat, cancer of the sinuses (air spaces in the bones of the face), the salivary glands, or the nose or middle ear.
Yes, radiotherapy can be combined with chemotherapy. Chemotherapy can be given before, during or after a course of radiotherapy.
If the cancer has developed to metastatic stage from benign stage, to check that which all tissues are affected, the MRI scan can be used. In order to know about which therapy or surgery has to be initiated also MRI scan can be used.
PET refers to positron emission tomography and CT refers to computer tomography.
PET images show the biochemical or physiologic phenomena. When CT and MRI scans can not distinguish benign tumors from malignant tumors then PET scanning is used.