Korean Journal of Head & Neck Oncology (대한두경부종양학회지)

The Korean Society for Head and Neck Oncology (대한두경부종양학회)
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Proton Therapy for Head and Neck Cancer: Current Clinical Applications and Future Direction

두경부암의 양성자치료: 현재의 임상 적용 및 발전 방향

  • Oh, Dongryul (Department of Radiation Oncology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine)
  • 오동렬 (성균관대학교 의과대학 삼성서울병원 방사선종양학과)
  • Received : 2021.05.09
  • Accepted : 2021.05.18
  • Published : 2021.05.31
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Abstract

Intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) using X-rays is a standard technique implemented for treating head and neck cancer (HN C). Compared to 3D conformal RT, IMRT can significantly reduce the radiation dose to surrounding normal tissues by using a highly conformal dose to the tumor. Proton therapy is a type of RT that uses positively charged particles named protons. Proton therapy has a unique energy deposit (i.e., Bragg peak) and greater biological effectiveness than that of therapy using X-rays. These inherent properties of proton therapy make the technique advantageous for HNC treatment. Recently, advanced techniques such as intensity-modulated proton therapy have further decreased the dose to normal organs with a higher conformal dose to the tumor. The usage of proton therapy for HNC is becoming widespread as the number of operational proton therapy centers has increased worldwide. This paper aims to present the current clinical evidence of proton therapy utility to HNC clinicians through a literature review. It also discusses the challenges associated with proton therapy and prospective development of the technique.

Keywords

References

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