Optimising Patient Experience in Head and Neck Radiotherapy

The setup accuracy of each immobilization device will be measured based on the magnitude of the translational corrections measured in millimeters prior to delivery of each radiation therapy fraction.

This study is a phase III, randomized, single-centre, multiple arm trial examining the set-up
 accuracy of three different types of immobilization methods for head and neck cancer patients
 receiving radical radiation therapy. The methods of immobilization under investigation in
 this study are two types of open faced head and neck masks compared with the convention
 closed faced head and neck mask. Patients receiving treatment using an open faced mask will
 have their intra fraction motion monitored through the use of intra fraction surface guided
 monitoring. The study aims to determine the set-up accuracy of the three types of
 immobilization through measuring the magnitude of the translational corrections on the daily
 cone beam computed tomography (CBCT). To be eligible for the study a patient must be planned
 to receive a minimum of 30 fractions of head and neck radiation therapy.
 
 Patients distress levels associated with each type of immobilization device will be measured
 using the psychological measure General Health Questionnaire-12 (GHQ-12) which will be
 collected at the beginning and end of their course of radiation therapy treatment.