Proton Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer

• Published in: Current treatment options in oncology 2018-06, Vol.19 (6), p.28-14, Article 28
• Main Authors: Kim, Joseph K., Leeman, Jonathan E., Riaz, Nadeem, McBride, Sean, Tsai, Chiaojung Jillian, Lee, Nancy Y.
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Cancer; Cancer therapies; Cost benefit analysis; Disease control; Head & neck cancer; Head and Neck Cancer (L Licitra; Head and Neck Neoplasms - diagnosis; Head and Neck Neoplasms - mortality; Head and Neck Neoplasms - radiotherapy; Humans; Medicine; Medicine & Public Health; Oncology; Patients; Proton Therapy - adverse effects; Proton Therapy - methods; Quality of life; Radiation therapy; Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; Recurrence; Retreatment; Section Editor; Topical Collection on Head and Neck Cancer; Treatment Outcome
• ISSN: 1527-2729; 1534-6277; 1534-5277
• DOI: 10.1007/s11864-018-0546-9

Opinion statement The application of proton beam radiation therapy in the treatment of head and neck cancer has grown tremendously in the past few years. Globally, widespread interest in proton beam therapy has led to multiple research efforts regarding its therapeutic value and cost-effectiveness. The current standard of care using modern photon radiation technology has demonstrated excellent treatment outcomes, yet there are some situations where disease control remains suboptimal with the potential for detrimental acute and chronic toxicities. Due to the advantageous physical properties of the proton beam, proton beam therapy may be superior to photon therapy in some patient subsets for both disease control and patient quality of life. As enthusiasm and excitement for proton beam therapy continue to increase, clinical research and widespread adoption will elucidate the true value of proton beam therapy and give a greater understanding of the full risks and benefits of proton therapy in head and neck cancer.