Overview

Proton particles do not deposit an exit dose, which allows proton therapy to spare normal tissues distal to the tumour target. This is particularly useful for treating head and neck tumours because of the anatomic constraints encountered in nearly all cancers in this region.

Proton therapy enables the delivery of aggressive local therapy. Proton therapy for paranasal sinus tumours reported improved local control and survival.9,10 A recent meta-analysis also reported that proton therapy was superior to IMRT in both disease-free survival (72% vs. 50% at 5 years) and tumour control (81% vs. 64%).

The dosimetric advantage unique to proton therapy translates into toxicity reduction. Studies comparing proton versus photon therapy have reported significantly lower rates of acute > grade 2 dysphagia, dysgeusia, mucositis and nausea favouring proton therapy. Additionally, proton therapy resulted in the prevention of weight loss, lower opioid use, and less gastrostomy tube dependence.

IBA White Paper

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