Radiotherapy (radiation therapy) should be performed for tumors that are not locally resectable in sano (removal in healthy tissue) or inoperable.
Postoperative radiotherapy should be performed for:
- R1- (macroscopically, the tumor was removed; however, histopathology demonstrates smaller portions of the tumor in the resection margin) or R2-resection/larger, macroscopically visible portions of the tumor could not be resected (in the absence of the possibility of resection)
- Extensive lymph node involvement (> 1 affected lymph node, lymph node metastasis (settlement of malignant cancer cells in a lymph node) > 3 cm, capsule breakthrough).
- Intraparotid lymph node involvement.
Adjuvant radiotherapy should be given if risk factors are present:
- Scarce resection margin (< 2 mm, in the absence of the possibility of post-resection).
- Extensive perineural sheath infiltration.
Radiotherapy may also be considered for surgically inoperable or difficult-to-reach findings.
For metastatic or inoperable tumors, a combination of chemotherapy and radiotherapy may be performed.
