The clinical case for proton beam therapy.
Over the past 20 years, several proton beam treatment programs have been implemented throughout the United States. Increasingly, the number of new programs under development is growing. Proton beam therapy has the potential for improving tumor control and survival through dose escalation. It also has potential for reducing harm to normal organs through dose reduction. However, proton beam therapy is more costly than conventional x-ray therapy. This increased cost may be offset by improved function, improved quality of life, and reduced costs related to treating the late effects of therapy. Clinical research opportunities are abundant to determine which patients will gain the most benefit from proton beam therapy. We review the clinical case for proton beam therapy. SUMMARY SENTENCE: Proton beam therapy is a technically advanced and promising form of radiation therapy.
Department of Radiation Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN 55905, USA. foote.robert@mayo.edu
Robert L
RL
Foote
Scott L
SL
Stafford
Ivy A
IA
Petersen
Jose S
JS
Pulido
Michelle J
MJ
Clarke
Steven E
SE
Schild
Yolanda I
YI
Garces
Kenneth R
KR
Olivier
Robert C
RC
Miller
Michael G
MG
Haddock
Elizabeth
E
Yan
Nadia N
NN
Laack
Carola A S
CA
Arndt
Steven J
SJ
Buskirk
Vickie L
VL
Miller
Christopher R
CR
Brent
Jon J
JJ
Kruse
Gary A
GA
Ezzell
Michael G
MG
Herman
Leonard L
LL
Gunderson
Charles
C
Erlichman
Robert B
RB
Diasio
D006801:Humans; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D061766:Proton Therapy; D011522:Protons
D011522:Protons