Comparing closed face masks with surface guided radiotherapy for head and neck cancer
Tests whether skipping closed face masks during radiotherapy suits adults with head and neck cancer.
Plain-language title generated from the registry record
Registry title: Comparing Closed Face Masks vs Surface Guided Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Radiotherapy
Key facts
- Where
- Zurich, SwitzerlandSee the site
Where in Switzerland
- University Hospital ZurichZurich, SwitzerlandTaking people
Questions to ask the study team
- How often do I need to come in, and for how long each time?
- Are travel costs paid?
- Can I keep my own doctor?
- What happens if I want to stop?
Trial details
- Who runs it
- University of Zurich
- Trial code
- NCT06870799
- Record updated
- 20 August 2026
- Original description
At present, open-face masks are used only in patients with claustrophobic anxiety, while all other patients are still immobilized with closed masks, thereby overlooking the need for improvement in patient comfort. Closed face masks in patients undergoing head and neck irradiation have never been compared to no masks in the setting of a randomized clinical trial, but only in feasibility trials. A randomized clinical trial may establish the role of no masks in terms of patient comfort, preference and setup accuracy in all patients.Read full original descriptionShow less
Randomized Controlled Trial Comparing Closed Face Masks vs Surface Guided Radiation Therapy for Head and Neck Radiotherapy
At present, open-face masks are used only in patients with claustrophobic anxiety, while all other patients are still immobilized with closed masks, thereby overlooking the need for improvement in patient comfort. Closed face masks in patients undergoing head and neck irradiation have never been compared to no masks in the setting of a randomized clinical trial, but only in feasibility trials. A randomized clinical trial may establish the role of no masks in terms of patient comfort, preference and setup accuracy in all patients.
Inclusion: Written informed consent according to Swiss law and ICH/GCP regulations before any trial specific procedures; Indication for head and neck radiotherapy irrespective of tumor type; Age: ≥ 18 years old; Karnofsky performance status ≥70; Patients who are willing and able to comply with scheduled visits, treatment, and other trial procedures.
Exclusion: Prior head and neck irradiation; Known or suspected non-compliance, drug or alcohol abuse; Women who are pregnant or breast feeding; Intention to become pregnant during the course of the trial; Lack of safe contraception, defined as: Female participants of childbearing potential, not using and not willing to continue using a medically reliable method of contraception for the entire study duration, such as oral, injectable, or implantable contraceptives, or intrauterine contraceptive devices, or who are not using any other method considered sufficiently reliable by the investigator in individual cases; Inability to follow the procedures of the trial, e.g. due to language problems of the participant; Enrolment of the investigator, his/her family members, employees and other dependent persons; One of the following Tumor Types: Nasopharynx, Sinunasal, patients with CTV within 5 mm of eyes or spinal cord.