Ok I finally had time to study the article. Evidently it was done on breast cancer patients, with the disclaimer that much additional research was needed.
It's comparing apples and oranges. The head and neck area is much more complex and corresponding anatomy more tightly packed. There are limited access points for radiation due to the proximity of the spinal cord, thyroid, salivary glands and other radiation sensitive anatomical structures. This would result in very high dose rates through those "safe" corridors. And there have been studies done about different dose rates through different structures and what permissible maximums are allowed. How else would they program IMRT? This also serves to further demonstrate the uniqueness of each of our individual treatment plans.
You may wish to glance at this .pdf so as to understand the unique complexities of H&N RT (or just RT in general).
http://www-naweb.iaea.org/nahu/dmrp/pdf_files/Chapter8.pdfThis link is a pretty definitive study on general principles of radiation therapy in the H&N context.
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/846797-overviewI had severe problems with pain while yawning early post Tx (which eventually withered) but the muscle spasm issues didn't really get going until I was 2 years post Tx.
