Final Report of NRG Oncology RTOG 0022: A Phase I/II Study of Conformal and Intensity Modulated Radiation for Oropharyngeal Cancer.

NRG/RTOG 0022 was the first trial testing the feasibility of IMRT in a multi-institutional setting. In addition to meeting the criteria for acceptable local-regional control and reduction in acute xerostomia, long-term outcomes were very good with few deaths attributed to the studied cancer, 2/3 of patients alive at 10 years, and few grade 3-4 toxicities. Since conduct of this study, further improvements in IMRT have been accomplished both with regards to technical advancements in treatment delivery as well as attention to additional avoidance structures beyond the parotid glands. IMRT has transitioned from an optional form of radiation to the expected radiation technique to be delivered in RTOG/NRG Oncology trials of HN cancer.