Unilateral Neck Radiotherapy in Head and Neck Cancer

Trial details

Who runs it

AHS Cancer Control Alberta

Trial code

NCT03622164

Record updated

27 June 2025

Original description

Patients with head and neck cancer typically undergo a surgical procedure to remove the lymph nodes that could contain disease on both sides of the neck. After surgery, radiotherapy is given (with or without chemotherapy) to the area that underwent surgery and both sides of the neck, even if disease was only found on one side. Giving radiotherapy to both sides of the neck commonly results in high rates of side effects, which in turn affects patient quality of life.Read full original descriptionShow less

Randomized Trial of Unilateral vs. Bilateral Neck Irradiation in Head and Neck Cancer Patients Treated With Primary Surgery

Patients with head and neck cancer typically undergo a surgical procedure to remove the lymph nodes that could contain disease on both sides of the neck. After surgery, radiotherapy is given (with or without chemotherapy) to the area that underwent surgery and both sides of the neck, even if disease was only found on one side. Giving radiotherapy to both sides of the neck commonly results in high rates of side effects, which in turn affects patient quality of life.

There is growing evidence from some other studies that support the safety of omitting radiotherapy after surgery in the side of the neck with no disease. With this study, the investigators are hoping to justify its routine use and, if successful, the standard of care could be to receive radiation on only one side of the neck instead of both sides. This could alleviate the extent of some side effects and improve patient quality of life.

Participants will be randomized into one of the following groups to receive radiotherapy as follows:

Arm 1 (Non-experimental intervention): standard intervention: Radiotherapy to both sides of the neck. Treatment will begin a maximum of 8 weeks from the surgery date.

Arm 2 (Experimental intervention): Radiotherapy to one side of the neck. Treatment will begin a maximum of 8 weeks from the surgery date.

Inclusion: Patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck undergoing primary surgical management are eligible to participate if they meet the following eligibility criteria:; Age ≥18; Primary site of disease in the oral cavity, oropharynx, larynx, or hypopharynx; Squamous cell carcinoma confirmed by histology; Bilateral modified radical or selective neck dissections carried out as part of primary surgery, with >= 10 lymph nodes removed from the contralateral neck; The contralateral neck is pathologically negative; Pre-surgical FDG-PET/CT scan did not show any clinically involved contralateral neck nodes; Patients must have the ability to read, understand, and sign an informed consent and must be willing to comply with study treatment and follow-up.

Exclusion: Previous radiation to the head and neck area; Other contraindications to radiation treatment (e.g. severe connective tissue disease); Pregnancy.

ClinicalTrials.gov NCT03622164