Adaptive Radiation Therapy with the MRIdian Linac System for the Treatment of Human Papillomavirus Positive Oropharyngeal Cancer
This clinical trial evaluates adaptive radiation therapy with the magnetic resonance imaging linear accelerator system (MRIdian Linac) for treating patients with human papillomavirus (HPV) positive oropharyngeal cancer. HPV positive oropharyngeal cancer is a potentially curable disease, but with rising incidence rates. Despite improved radiation therapy techniques, where high energy x-rays, particles, or radioactive seeds are used to kill cancer cells and shrink tumors, toxicities to proximal normal organs and tissues remain a concern. MRI is a form of imaging that uses radiofrequency waves and a strong magnetic field rather than x-rays to provide detailed pictures of internal organs and tissues for radiation planning and treatment. Adaptive radiation therapy (ART) uses MRI to refine the planning target volumes during radiation therapy to account for additional information gained about the patient's anatomy. Owing to the properties of MRIs, the MRIdian Linac may improve visualization of tumors as well as normal organs and tissues in the head and neck to characterize specific imaging features that may be associated with tumor shrinkage or anatomic changes in normal organs and tissues. Evaluating these imaging characteristics during the course of radiation treatment may help researchers identify the accuracy and barriers of using the MRIdian Linac System in radiation therapy planning and delivery for patients with HPV positive oropharyngeal cancer.