Evaluation, Prediction and Sparing of Radiation-Induced Normal Tissue Damage in Head and Neck Cancer

Head and neck cancer is the seventh most prevalent malignant tumor worldwide. Radiotherapy is commonly used as a treatment for head and neck cancer, with the trade-off for increased probability of tumor control via radiotherapy being the risk of normal tissue damage. As the intensity of treatment increases, acute and late-stage tissue damage related to radiotherapy increases significantly, affecting the tolerance of tumor treatment to some extent, as well as the long-term survival and quality of life. For example, studies have indicated that the incidence of grade-2 or worse subcutaneous fibrosis is 28%, 34%, and 56% respectively three years after radiotherapy, radiotherapy combined with chemotherapy or radiotherapy combined with surgery. However, evaluation, prediction, and sparing of radiation-induced normal tissue damage in head and neck cancer are still understudied, and comprehensive treatment strategies for head and neck cancer patients are in urgent demand.

With the advances of functional imaging (such as PET, SPECT, and fMRI), the application of new radiotherapy technologies (such as IMRT and proton therapy), the discovery and development of novel therapeutics, and patient classification based on biomarkers, strategies for sparing and repairing normal tissue damage for head and neck patients are thriving. This Research Topic aims to provide a forum for current advances in studies involving radiation-induced normal tissue damage and its repair, so as to ultimately benefit head and neck cancer patients in clinical practice.

We welcome submissions of Original Research, Clinical Trial, Methods, Systematic Reviews, Reviews and Mini Reviews focusing on head and neck cancer, covering but not limited to the below aspects:
● Evaluation and prediction of normal tissue damage for head and neck cancer patients based on multimodal cancer imaging (such as ultrasound, CT, MRI, PET/CT, and PET/MRI);
● Application of advanced radiotherapy techniques (such as IMRT, IMPT) for normal tissue protection;
● Combination of systematic treatment (such as chemotherapy, targeted therapy, immunotherapy) with radiotherapy and surgery for normal tissue protection;
● Blood biomarkers for patient classification and individualized treatments based on normal tissue damage (for example, prioritizing treatment strategy for patients with higher sensitivity; intensive treatment for patients with higher tolerance.)