Evidence map›Paper›PMID 41892919›Full record

ReviewJournal of imaging2026

The Evolving Role of Radiation Therapy Technologists in Head and Neck Cancer: A Narrative Review and Operational Framework.

Andrea Lastrucci, Ilaria Morelli, Nicola Iosca, Isacco Desideri, Eva Serventi, Yannick Wandael, Carlotta Becherini, Viola Salvestrini, Vittorio Miele, Renzo Ricci and 3 more

Abstract readReview
In one paragraph

Review in Journal of imaging, 2026. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Not yet cited in PubMed.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
0citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

0 citing papers in PubMed.

No citing paper in PubMed yet.

4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

13 authors.

Andrea LastrucciDepartment of Allied Health Professions, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-3600-9213
Ilaria MorelliOncology Unit, Santa Maria delle Croci Hospital-AUSL Romagna, 48121 Ravenna, Italy.
Nicola IoscaDepartment of Allied Health Professions, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy.
Isacco DesideriRadiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-9880-8387
Eva ServentiDepartment of Allied Health Professions, Azienda USL Toscana Centro, 59100 Prato, Italy.
Yannick WandaelDepartment of Allied Health Professions, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy.
Carlotta BecheriniRadiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy.
Viola SalvestriniRadiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-9793-500X
Vittorio MieleDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences, Emergency Radiology Unit, University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.ORCID 0000-0002-7848-1567
Renzo RicciDepartment of Allied Health Professions, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy.
Lorenzo LiviDepartment of Experimental and Clinical Biomedical Sciences "M. Serio", University of Florence, 50134 Florence, Italy.
Pierluigi BonomoRadiation Oncology Unit, Azienda Ospedaliero-Universitaria Careggi, 50134 Florence, Italy.ORCID 0000-0001-8999-5208
Daniele GiansantiCentre IATIS, ISS, 00161 Rome, Italy.

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

Head and neck cancer (HNC) management requires highly coordinated multidisciplinary care. Radiation Therapy Technologists (RTTs) have increasingly expanded their role beyond technical execution, contributing to patient positioning, treatment delivery, monitoring, and supportive care. This narrative review integrates evidence from published literature with structured experiential insights collected through focus group discussions with RTTs and other multidisciplinary team (MDT) members. The resulting conceptual and operational framework highlights RTT contributions across the radiotherapy pathway, including adaptive planning, workflow coordination, and patient-centered interventions, supported by imaging and artificial intelligence (AI) tools for predictive modeling and treatment optimization. By facilitating communication, monitoring anatomical and functional changes, and integrating AI-informed insights, RTTs support timely interventions, reduce treatment interruptions, and enhance treatment safety and precision. Structured training, formal recognition of advanced practice roles, and interprofessional collaboration are key to maximizing the impact of RTTs in HNC care. This review provides a practical roadmap for institutions, professional societies, and research initiatives to support the evolution of RTT roles in complex radiotherapy settings.

Indexed as

head and neck neoplasmsmultidisciplinary care teampatient-centered careradiation therapy

Identifiers

PMID41892919
PMCPMC13028032

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.