title: Selection of patients for radiotherapy with protons aiming at reduction of side effects: the model-based approach.
abstract: Most new radiation techniques, have been introduced primarily to reduce the dose to normal tissues in order to prevent radiation-induced side effects. Radiotherapy with protons is such a radiation technique that due to its superior beam properties compared to photons enables better sparing of normal tissues. This paper describes a stepwise methodology to select patients for proton therapy when the primary aim is to reduce side effects. This method has been accepted by the Dutch health authorities to select patients for proton therapy. In addition, an alternative method is described in case randomised controlled trials are considered not appropriate.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Center Groningen, University of Groningen, The Netherlands. j.a.langendijk@umcg.nl
authors.forename: Johannes A
authors.initials: JA
authors.lastname: Langendijk
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Lambin
authors.forename: Dirk
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: De Ruysscher
authors.forename: Joachim
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Widder
authors.forename: Mike
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Bos
authors.forename: Marcel
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Verheij
mesh_terms: D006801:Humans; D018579:Patient Selection; D061766:Proton Therapy; D011522:Protons / Q000009:adverse effects; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D011880:Radiotherapy Planning, Computer-Assisted; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic
chemical_list: D011522:Protons
keywords: NTCP-models; Patient selection; Proton therapy; Randomisation