Overview
Background
Dr. Lachlan McDowell (B.App.Sc, MB BS, FRANZCR, PhD) is a radiation oncologist and clinical researcher specializing in head and neck cancer (HNC), with a focus on human papillomavirus-associated oropharyngeal cancer (HPV-OPC). His work combines clinical expertise with innovative research to improve patient outcomes and quality of life.
Dr. Lachlan McDowell's research addresses critical aspects of HNC including:
- Identifying latent patterns of quality of life in cancer survivors
- Understanding the differing impacts of different radiation treatments
- Understanding and quantifying unmet needs in HNC survivors, including sexual health, emotional distress, fear of cancer recurrence and return to work
He completed his PhD at the University of Melbourne in 2024 with a Dean’s Research Award.
A significant part of his academic contributions comes from secondary analyses of clinical trials, such as TROG 12.01, which provide valuable insights into the evolving management of HPV-OPC cancers. Dr. McDowell also collaborates internationally and has developed an emerging global profile in head and neck oncology through his editorial roles and positions in the Trans Tasman Radiation Oncology Group (TROG) and the Head and Neck Cancer International Group (HNCIG)
Keywords: head and neck cancer, HPV-associated oropharyngeal cancer, radiation oncology, survivorship, quality of life, sexual health, TROG, clinical trials.
Availability
- Dr Lachlan McDowell is:
- Available for supervision
Qualifications
- Doctor of Philosophy of Oncology, University of Melbourne
Works
Search Professor Lachlan McDowell’s works on UQ eSpace
2025
Journal Article
Patterns of care in de-novo oligo-metastatic and oligo-recurrent head and neck cancers: A Head and Neck Cancer International Group (HNCIG) Survey
Swain, Monali, Ghosh-Laskar, Sarbani, McDowell, Lachlan, Henson, Christina, Bonomo, Pierluigi, Kannan, Sadhana, Malouff, Timothy, Homma, Akihiro, Rühle, Alexander, Lee, Anna, Caparrotti, Francesca, Bates, James, Johansen, Jorgen, Thariat, Juliette, Ferrari, Marco, Mayo-Yáñez, Miguel, Hamilton, Sarah, Yom, Sue S., Mehanna, Hisham and Szturz, Petr (2025). Patterns of care in de-novo oligo-metastatic and oligo-recurrent head and neck cancers: A Head and Neck Cancer International Group (HNCIG) Survey. Oral Oncology, 170 107647, 107647-170. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2025.107647
2025
Journal Article
Accuracy and Prognosis of Extranodal Extension on Radiologic Imaging in Human Papillomavirus-Mediated Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Head and Neck Cancer International Group (HNCIG) Real-world Study
Mehanna, Hisham, Abou-Foul, Ahmad K., Henson, Christina, Kristunas, Caroline, Nankivell, Paul C., McDowell, Lachlan, Leemans, C. René, van den Brekel, Michiel W.M., von Buchwald, Christian, Jakobsen, Kathrine Kronberg, Grønhøj, Christian, Rasmussen, Jacob Høygaard, Lydiatt, William M., Gupta, Vishal, Branstetter, Barton F., Klussmann, Jens Peter, Wollenberg, Barbara, Schmidl, Benedikt, Broglie, Martina A., Hendrickx, Jan-Jaap, Awad, Daniel R., Prestwich, Robin, Gaultier, Anne-Laure, Oliva, Marc, Nair, Sudhir, Noor, Anthony, Krishnan, Suren, Iyizoba-Ebozue, Zsuzsanna, Sethi, Mantegh ... Yom, Sue S. (2025). Accuracy and Prognosis of Extranodal Extension on Radiologic Imaging in Human Papillomavirus-Mediated Oropharyngeal Cancer: A Head and Neck Cancer International Group (HNCIG) Real-world Study. International Journal of Radiation Oncology Biology Physics, 123 (2), 432-441. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2025.04.003
2025
Conference Publication
Anxiety, Depression and Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer (HPVOPC) Survivors Treated with Chemoradiation (CRT): Implications for Contemporary Clinical Care
McDowell, L.J., Corry, J., Fua, T., Coleman, A., Drosdowsky, A., Rischin, D. and Gough, K. (2025). Anxiety, Depression and Fear of Cancer Recurrence (FCR) in HPV-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer (HPVOPC) Survivors Treated with Chemoradiation (CRT): Implications for Contemporary Clinical Care. ASTRO 2025: 67th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA United States, 28-30 September 2025. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2025.06.2331
2025
Journal Article
Primary target volume delineation for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: CSTRO, CACA, CSCO, HNCIG, ESTRO, and ASTRO guidelines and contouring atlas
Tang, Ling-Long, Huang, Cheng-Long, Lin, Shao-Jun, Le, Quynh-Thu, O'Sullivan, Brian, Yom, Sue S, Huang, Shao Hui, Chan, Annie W, Lee, Nancy, Pan, Jian-Ji, Mejia, Michael Benedict A, Ahn, Yong Chan, Wong, Kenneth C W, McDowell, Lachlan, Orlandi, Ester, Friborg, Jeppe, Chen, Yu-Pei, Yasuda, Koichi, Kodaira, Takeshi, Whitley, Alexander C, King, Ann D, Prajogi, Gregorius Ben, Hahn, Ezra, Lin, Jin-Ching, Kiyota, Naomi, Lee, Victor, Ji, Peng-Jie, Hitchcock, Ying, Hoebers, Frank ... Ma, Jun (2025). Primary target volume delineation for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: CSTRO, CACA, CSCO, HNCIG, ESTRO, and ASTRO guidelines and contouring atlas. The Lancet Oncology, 26 (9), e477-e487. doi: 10.1016/s1470-2045(25)00326-2
2025
Journal Article
Red Journal Reviews: Typology, Methodology, and Standards
Smith, Justin, Dickstein, Daniel R., Mitta, Alekhya, Sher, David, Yom, Sue S. and McDowell, Lachlan (2025). Red Journal Reviews: Typology, Methodology, and Standards. International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2025.08.004
2025
Conference Publication
Deep Learning-Based Synthetic CT Generation from MRI for Head and Neck Cancer Radiation Therapy Planning
Liefman, D., Ramachandran, P., Jones, C., Gould, C., Devlin, A., McDowell, L.J. and Liu, H. (2025). Deep Learning-Based Synthetic CT Generation from MRI for Head and Neck Cancer Radiation Therapy Planning. ASTRO 2025: 67th Annual Meeting, San Francisco, CA United States, 28-30 September 2025. Philadelphia, PA United States: Elsevier. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2025.06.2315
2025
Journal Article
Target volume delineation of the neck for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: CSTRO, CACA, CSCO, HNCIG, ESTRO, and ASTRO guidelines and contouring atlas
Tang, Ling-Long, Huang, Cheng-Long, Lin, Shao-Jun, Le, Quynh-Thu, O'Sullivan, Brian, Yom, Sue S, Huang, Shao Hui, Chan, Annie W, Lee, Nancy, Pan, Jian-Ji, Mejia, Michael Benedict A, Ahn, Yong Chan, Wong, Kenneth C W, McDowell, Lachlan, Orlandi, Ester, Friborg, Jeppe, Chen, Yu-Pei, Yasuda, Koichi, Kodaira, Takeshi, Whitley, Alexander C, King, Ann D, Prajogi, Gregorius Ben, Hahn, Ezra, Lin, Jin-Ching, Kiyota, Naomi, Lee, Victor, Ji, Peng-Jie, Hitchcock, Ying, Hoebers, Frank ... Ma, Jun (2025). Target volume delineation of the neck for radiotherapy in nasopharyngeal carcinoma: CSTRO, CACA, CSCO, HNCIG, ESTRO, and ASTRO guidelines and contouring atlas. The Lancet Oncology, 26 (9), e488-e498. doi: 10.1016/s1470-2045(25)00327-4
2025
Journal Article
Prospective Evaluation of Patient Priorities in HPV-Driven Oropharyngeal Cancer Using the Chicago Priorities Scale: Considerations for Future Clinical Trial Design
McDowell, Lachlan, Corry, June, Fua, Tsien, Coleman, Andrew, Drosdowsky, Allison, Rischin, Danny and Gough, Karla (2025). Prospective Evaluation of Patient Priorities in HPV-Driven Oropharyngeal Cancer Using the Chicago Priorities Scale: Considerations for Future Clinical Trial Design. International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2025.08.053
2025
Journal Article
Chemoradiation Therapy Versus Radiation Therapy Alone in T1-2 Oropharyngeal Cancer With Low-Volume Neck Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study Using the Swedish Head and Neck Cancer Register
Adrian, Gabriel, Falklind, Niclas Rudolfson, McDowell, Lachlan and Gebre-Medhin, Maria (2025). Chemoradiation Therapy Versus Radiation Therapy Alone in T1-2 Oropharyngeal Cancer With Low-Volume Neck Disease: A Population-Based Cohort Study Using the Swedish Head and Neck Cancer Register. International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2025.08.040
2025
Journal Article
Final Results From a Longitudinal Observation Study Evaluating Sexual Health and Facial Appearance and Distress in Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer Survivors Treated With Chemoradiotherapy
McDowell, Lachlan, Gough, Karla, Fua, Tsien, Coleman, Andrew, Drosdowsky, Allison, Rischin, Danny and Corry, June (2025). Final Results From a Longitudinal Observation Study Evaluating Sexual Health and Facial Appearance and Distress in Human Papillomavirus-Associated Oropharyngeal Cancer Survivors Treated With Chemoradiotherapy. International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 122 (2), 355-364. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2025.02.004
2025
Journal Article
Trends in Investigations for Suspected Head and Neck Carcinoma of the Unknown Primary: A HNCIG and IFHNOS International Survey of Practice
Williamson, Andrew, Nankivell, Paul, Abou-Foul, Ahmad K., Ahmed, Mohamed, Mehanna, Hisham, Nankivell, Paul, Mehanna, Hisham, Paleri, Vinidh, Williamson, Andrew, Holsinger, Chris, McDowell, Lachlan, Henson, Christina, Gomes, Ana, Parente, Pablo, Hardman, John, Patel, Snehal, Iyer, Gopal, Caroline, Kristunas, Abdul Rashid, Yasmin, Alpuim Costa, Diogo, Ando, Mizuo, Arthur, Charpentier, Bilic, Mario, Brennan, Sinead, Brunner, Markus, Caudell, Jimmy, Chow, Ling-Yu Velda, Danos, Kornel, Doležal, Pavel ... Winter, Stuart (2025). Trends in Investigations for Suspected Head and Neck Carcinoma of the Unknown Primary: A HNCIG and IFHNOS International Survey of Practice. Head and Neck, 47 (5), 1478-1486. doi: 10.1002/hed.28065
2025
Journal Article
Multidisciplinary Care of Locally Advanced Mucosal Head and Neck Cancer: An Australian Perspective
Corry, June, Brungs, Daniel, Liu, Jia, McDowell, Lachlan, Thornton, Rob, Mar, Gary, Nicholls, Tracey and Ooi, Eng H. (2025). Multidisciplinary Care of Locally Advanced Mucosal Head and Neck Cancer: An Australian Perspective. Asia-Pacific Journal of Clinical Oncology ajco.70005. doi: 10.1111/ajco.70005
2025
Journal Article
Patient-Reported Dysphagia and Swallowing-Related Quality of Life up to 10 Years After (Chemo)radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study
Frowen, Jacqui J., Drosdowsky, Allison, Fua, Tsien F., McDowell, Lachlan J. and Gough, Karla (2025). Patient-Reported Dysphagia and Swallowing-Related Quality of Life up to 10 Years After (Chemo)radiotherapy for Head and Neck Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study. Head and Neck hed.70065. doi: 10.1002/hed.70065
2025
Book Chapter
Quality of Life in Radiation Therapy
Turaka, Aruna, Izzuddeen, K.N.Yousra, McDowell, Lachlan, Venkatesulu, Bhanu Prasad and Koneru, Bobby Nagendra (2025). Quality of Life in Radiation Therapy. Radiation Oncology – Principles, Precepts and Practice: Technical Aspects: Volume I, Second Edition. (pp. 505-529) Springer Nature. doi: 10.1007/978-981-97-8389-2_20
2025
Journal Article
Predictors of distant metastatic recurrence in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node metastases treated with curative intent: A multicenter study
Ebrahimi, Ardalan, Gupta, Ruta, Mcdowell, Lachlan, Magarey, Matthew J. R., Smith, Paul N., Schulte, Klaus-Martin, Perriman, Diana M., Veness, Michael, Porceddu, Sandro, Low, Tsu-Hui Hubert, Fowler, Allan and Clark, Jonathan R. (2025). Predictors of distant metastatic recurrence in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma with lymph node metastases treated with curative intent: A multicenter study. Head and Neck-Journal for the Sciences and Specialties of the Head and Neck, 47 (1), 254-262. doi: 10.1002/hed.27912
2024
Journal Article
A Hard Truth to Swallow: Critically Evaluating the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) as an Endpoint in Human Papillomavirus-associated Oropharyngeal Cancer Trials
McDowell, Lachlan, King, Madeleine T., Hutcheson, Katherine A., Ringash, Jolie, Yom, Sue S., Corry, June, Henson, Christina, Mehanna, Hisham and Rischin, Danny (2024). A Hard Truth to Swallow: Critically Evaluating the MD Anderson Dysphagia Inventory (MDADI) as an Endpoint in Human Papillomavirus-associated Oropharyngeal Cancer Trials. International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, 120 (3), 805-822. doi: 10.1016/j.ijrobp.2024.05.005
2024
Journal Article
Sexual Health, sexuality and sexual intimacy in patients with head and neck cancer – a narrative review
McDowell, Lachlan, Gough, Karla, White, Isabel, Corry, June and Rischin, Danny (2024). Sexual Health, sexuality and sexual intimacy in patients with head and neck cancer – a narrative review. Oral Oncology, 157 106975, 106975. doi: 10.1016/j.oraloncology.2024.106975
2024
Journal Article
Assessment of endpoint definitions in curative-intenttrials for mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: Head and Neck Cancer International Group consensus recommendations
Lim, Annette M., McDowell, Lachlan, Hurt, Chris, Le Tourneau, Christophe, Homma, Akihiro, Shenouda, George, Thomson, David J., Moya-Plana, Antoine, Henson, Christina, Szturz, Petr, Day, Andrew, Bates, James E., Lazarakis, Smaro, Thariat, Juliette, Psyrri, Amanda, Mehanna, Hisham, Yom, Sue S. and HNCIG, on behalf of the (2024). Assessment of endpoint definitions in curative-intenttrials for mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: Head and Neck Cancer International Group consensus recommendations. Lancet Oncology, 25 (7), e318-e330.
2024
Journal Article
Assessment of endpoint definitions in curative-intent trials for mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: Head and Neck Cancer International Group consensus recommendations
Lim, Annette M, McDowell, Lachlan, Hurt, Chris, Le Tourneau, Christophe, Homma, Akihiro, Shenouda, George, Thomson, David J, Moya-Plana, Antoine, Henson, Christina, Szturz, Petr, Day, Andrew T, Bates, James E, Lazarakis, Smaro, Thariat, Juliette, Psyrri, Amanda, Mehanna, Hisham and Yom, Sue S (2024). Assessment of endpoint definitions in curative-intent trials for mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinomas: Head and Neck Cancer International Group consensus recommendations. The Lancet Oncology, 25 (7), e318-e330. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00067-6
2024
Journal Article
Assessment of endpoint definitions in recurrent and metastatic mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma trials: Head and Neck Cancer International Group consensus recommendations
Lim, Annette M, Le Tourneau, Christophe, Hurt, Chris, Laskar, Sarbani G, Steuer, Conor E, Chow, Velda L Y, Szturz, Petr, Henson, Christina, Day, Andrew T, Bates, James E, Lazarakis, Smaro, McDowell, Lachlan, Mehanna, Hisham and Yom, Sue S (2024). Assessment of endpoint definitions in recurrent and metastatic mucosal head and neck squamous cell carcinoma trials: Head and Neck Cancer International Group consensus recommendations. The Lancet Oncology, 25 (7), e308-e317. doi: 10.1016/S1470-2045(24)00068-8
Supervision
Availability
- Dr Lachlan McDowell is:
- Available for supervision
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Supervision history
Current supervision
-
Master Philosophy
PET images as predictor of outcome following Radiotherapy
Associate Advisor
Other advisors: Dr Lena Oestreich
Media
Enquiries
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