title: Proton therapy and radiation sensitivity in dyskeratosis congenita.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Patients with dyskeratosis congenita (DC) have an increased risk of cancer, but also exhibit heightened radiation sensitivity. Proton therapy improves sparing of normal tissue, and thus may reduce radiation toxicity in patients with DC.
  
  
  METHODS
  We present a pediatric patient with DC who was treated with adjuvant proton therapy for oropharyngeal cancer. He experienced more severe skin toxicity and mucositis than expected. With reduced fractions per week and extensive supportive care, he completed the full radiation course.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Proton therapy can improve normal tissue sparing, allowing successful delivery of radiation therapy in DC patients.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
authors.forename: Rebecca I
authors.initials: RI
authors.lastname: Hartman
authors.forename: Christine E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Hill-Kayser
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D019871:Dyskeratosis Congenita / Q000150:complications*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D009959:Oropharyngeal Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D061766:Proton Therapy / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000379:methods*; D011829:Radiation Dosage; D016896:Treatment Outcome