Thermographic changes following preoperative radiotherapy in head and neck cancer

Thermography was used to assess vascular changes during and after head and neck irradiation in an attempt to predict the optimum time for surgery for patients receiving preoperative radiotherapy. Thermography is performed every one or two weeks throughout treatment and at longer periods after treatment. Eight of the 16 patients studied has an initial decrease in temperature during the first two weeks. The maximum increase was observed during the fifth week after receiving 5,000 rads. Return to pretreatment temperature levels was a gradual process, occurring between three and six weeks after completion of radiotherapy.