Radiotherapy Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Radiotherapy, including details on cancer treatment, side effects.

Proton radiation therapy for head and neck cancer.

Chan AW, Liebsch NJ

Department of Radiation Oncology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Francis H. Burr Proton Therapy Center, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02114, USA. awchan@partners.org

Due to the close spatial relationship of head and neck and skull base tumors to numerous normal anatomical structures, conventional photon radiation therapy can be associated with significant acute and long-term treatment-related toxicities. Superior dose localization properties of proton radiation therapy allow smaller volumes of normal tissues to be irradiated than is feasible with any photon technique. Intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) is a powerful delivery technique which results in improved dose distribution as compared to that of intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). Initial clinical experience with proton radiation therapy in treatment of head and neck and skull base tumors is promising. Prospective multi-institutional trials are underway to define the role of proton radiation therapy, particularly IMPT, in the treatment of head and neck and skull base tumors.

Published 26 May 2008 in J Surg Oncol, 97(8): 697-700.
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