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Proton radiation therapy for head and neck cancer
Author(s) -
Chan Annie W.,
Liebsch Norbert J.
Publication year - 2008
Publication title -
journal of surgical oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.201
H-Index - 111
eISSN - 1096-9098
pISSN - 0022-4790
DOI - 10.1002/jso.21013
Subject(s) - medicine , proton therapy , radiation therapy , skull , head and neck cancer , head and neck , nuclear medicine , radiology , surgery
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. J. Surg. Oncol. 2008;97:697–700. © 2008 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.