Head and neck cancer

Data as of 4 February 2023

 

General principles

Radiation therapy is used to treat cancer in the head, neck, and throat. Radiation may be used alone or in combination with other treatments, for example, surgery or chemotherapy.

If cancer can be removed, radiation therapy may be given after surgery to destroy any cancerous cells that remain in your body and to prevent cancer from coming back. If cancer is unresectable or not in a suitable location to operate, you may receive radiation therapy as a single treatment over one to three weeks or in small doses over a period of six weeks or more. Chemotherapy may be added to radiation in some patients to enhance the effect of radiation and increase cancer control. You’ll need follow-up treatment every few months after your finish radiation therapy.

Proton therapy for head and neck cancers

Proton therapy is a type of radiation treatment that can precisely target cancerous cells in the head and neck region. Proton therapy also has a unique advantage over traditional photon radiation therapy, as it can spare critical structures such as the spinal cord, brainstem, and optic nerves. This can be especially important in treating cancers in the head and neck, where these structures are close to the treatment area. With the use of conventional radiation therapy, sometimes it is not possible to deliver high enough doses of radiation for cancer kill when there are critical organs nearby.

Photo reference: Frank SJ. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2016 May 1;95(1):37-39.

One of the primary benefits of proton therapy is its ability to deliver high doses of radiation to cancerous cells while minimizing exposure to healthy tissue. This reduces the risk of side effects and long-term damage to surrounding healthy tissue, such as the salivary glands, nerves, and bones. This can lead to improved quality of life for patients and a faster recovery. This can also result in fewer side effects and a lower risk of secondary cancers.

There are several non-randomized studies that reported improved tumor control with proton therapy, especially, in patients who need reirradiation and in patients with nasal and paranasal sinus tumors. It’s important to note that these results may vary depending on a number of factors, such as the stage and type of cancer, patient characteristics, and the specific treatment protocol used.

IMPT – an advanced proton therapy at HPSP

At HPSP, the proton therapy that is delivered for head and neck cancers is called Intensity Modulated Proton Therapy (IMPT) using pencil beam scanning. It is a highly advanced and precise form of proton therapy for cancer treatment. The main difference between IMPT and other forms of proton therapy is the ability to modulate (vary) the intensity of the proton beam as it is delivered to the patient.

Pencil beam scanning is a delivery method for IMPT that uses a highly focused, narrow proton beam that is scanned across the target area in a raster pattern. This allows for the proton intensity to be modulated in real-time, allowing for a highly conformal dose distribution that closely matches the shape of the target area. It allows for highly precise dose delivery, reducing the risk of radiation exposure to normal, healthy tissues surrounding the target area.

In conclusion, proton therapy offers a number of benefits for head and neck cancer patients, including precision, accuracy, and reduced side effects. If you or a loved one has been diagnosed with head and neck cancer, feel free to discuss the possibility of proton therapy with our team. Here