Tumors eligible for proton therapy

Radiation treatment with protons is suitable for distinct tumors and treatment sites. In general, proton beam therapy is offered to patients, who are treated with curative intent. Whether treatment with protons is an option for you will be decided by the treating radiation oncologist.

Primary tumors eligible for proton beam therapy:

In the context of clinical studies, patient groups are being defined, that have an advantage of being treated with protons instead of photon beam therapy. For some tumors, the superiority of proton beam therapy has already been proven, i.e.:

• Tumors of the soft tissues or bones: chordomas, chondrosarcomas
• Many pediatric tumors, in particular brain or craniospinal axis
• Tumors of the salivary glands, in particular adenoidcystic carcinomas
• Tumors in proximity of radiation sensitive normal tissues, e.g., base of skull or spinal cord
• Tumor of the eyes

For additional primary tumor sites, the effectiveness of proton beam therapy is investigated within clinical studies:

• Primary brain tumors
• Prostate tumors
• Tumors in pre-irradiated regions with an indication for high-dose re-irradiation
• Sarcoma (soft tisse sarcoma)
• Tumors of the esophagus
• Inoperable or irresectable lung tumors
• Inoperable primary liver tumors
• Tumors of the pancreas
• Other indications, in case a high dose irradiation is indicated, but the dose cannot be delivered with conventional photon-based radiotherapy

Additional eligibility criteria

• Consent to collect and evaluate data in a pseudonymised way
• Patient is capable of attending regular follow-up visits or can supply findings of follow-up performed in the collaborating institution.

Additional in-eligibility criteria

• Metal implants in the target volume that adversely affect the dose distribution
• Movement of the target volume, if this cannot be sufficiently taken into account with available methods (image-guided radiotherapy, gating)

For many tumors not mentioned here, clinical trials are being conducted in order to establish the value of proton beam therapy for these. In case participation in one of these studies is possible for you, the treating radiation oncologist will inform you about this.

Checklist of necessary documents to judge eligibility for proton beam therapy:

• Report of the tumor board
• Medical history, in particular on the tumor
• Report on tumor biopsy by pathologist
• Report on imaging obtained by radiology or nuclear medicine as well as the original dataset (on CD-ROM or electronic transfer)
• If applicable, details on previous irradiation including radiation treatment plans