Lower-dose radiation after surgery for advanced head and neck cancer

Plain-English translation of NCT05854823 on ClinicalTrials.gov ↗ · Source last updated May 2023 · Translation generated June 2026 · How we translate trials

This study doesn't follow the usual testing phases — it may be an observational study or a different type of research.

What is this trial?

This trial is testing whether patients with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma can safely receive a lower dose of postoperative radiotherapy after surgery and initial chemotherapy. The standard treatment involves a higher radiation dose, but researchers believe that patients whose tumors have responded extremely well to their initial treatment may do just as well with less radiation, while experiencing fewer side effects.

Standard radiation doses after head and neck cancer surgery can cause serious long-term side effects like difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, and jaw problems. This trial explores whether patients whose cancers have responded very well to initial treatment need the full standard dose, or whether a lower dose can achieve the same cancer control with significantly fewer complications.

Do you qualify?

You likely qualify if…

you have been diagnosed with advanced head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (stages III or IVB)
your tumor has shown a complete or near-complete response (90% or more of cancer cells destroyed) to chemotherapy and surgery
you have had surgery with negative margins (no cancer cells at the edges of the removed tissue)
you are between 18 and 70 years old
you have adequate organ function (healthy blood counts, liver, and kidney function)
you are in generally good health with the ability to tolerate treatment

You likely don't qualify if…

you are pregnant or breastfeeding
you have a history of other cancers in the past 5 years (except certain skin cancers)
you have untreated or uncontrolled infections, including active tuberculosis or hepatitis B or C
you have severe heart disease or uncontrolled heart symptoms
you have a weakened immune system, including HIV infection or a history of organ or bone marrow transplant

What participation looks like

You will receive postoperative radiation therapy at a lower dose than standard treatment—50 Gray over 25 sessions instead of 60 Gray—typically delivered over 5 weeks. You will attend regular follow-up visits to monitor how well the treatment works and to track any side effects. Researchers will compare your outcomes with those of patients who received the standard higher dose to see whether the lower dose is equally effective while causing fewer complications.

AI-generated summary from trial data · Jun 27, 2026 · Not medical advice

Trial locations(1 site)

China

Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Zhuhai, Guangdong