Faster versus standard radiation treatment after head and neck cancer surgery

This trial is testing whether giving radiation therapy in a faster schedule—with 6 treatment sessions per week instead of the standard 5—works better for people with intermediate- or high-risk head and neck cancer who had surgery and need follow-up radiation. You would be randomly assigned to either the standard schedule (5 sessions per week) or the accelerated schedule (6 sessions per week), and researchers will track how well each approach prevents cancer from coming back, helps people survive longer, and what side effects occur.

When surgery is delayed for more than 6 weeks before starting radiation therapy, there is concern that cancer cells may have more time to grow back. This trial is designed to see if treating patients faster—with more radiation sessions per week—can reduce the risk of cancer returning and improve survival.