Preservation of Swallowing in Respected Oral Cavity Squamous Cell Carcinoma: Examining Radiation Volume Effects (PRESERVE): A Randomized Trial

To join this study, you would need to be an adult over 18 who has recently had surgery for a type of mouth cancer called oral cavity squamous cell carcinoma. A key point is that your cancer must have certain features that mean your doctor recommends a type of radiotherapy after surgery. Also, at least one side of your neck, where lymph nodes were removed, must have been found to be clear of cancer.

There are also some things that would mean you can't join. For example, if you have other serious health problems, have had head and neck cancer before in the last five years, or have had radiotherapy to your head or neck in the past. If your cancer has spread to other parts of your body, or if you're pregnant or breastfeeding, you wouldn't be able to participate. It's also important that you'd be able to attend all your appointments and fill out questionnaires about your quality of life.

If you join this study, you would be randomly assigned to one of two groups, like flipping a coin, to decide which radiotherapy approach you receive. One group will get the standard radiotherapy to the tumour area and surrounding parts of the neck. The other group will receive radiotherapy that is more focused, just on the tumour area.

Both groups will receive their radiotherapy treatment as prescribed. After your treatment, you would be followed by the study team for a total of five years. This follow-up will involve regular check-ups and filling out questionnaires about your quality of life, especially regarding your swallowing and general well-being. These questionnaires are important for the study to understand the differences between the two treatment methods.