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Update:2014/04/28

Proton Therapy for Pharyngeal and Laryngeal Cancer

Proton Therapy for Pharyngeal and Laryngeal Cancer

Proton therapy is best known with precisely controlled dose distribution. With the invention of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT), it can effectively treat pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer now. IMPT can significantly reducing the radiation injury of important normal organs, such as the mouth, throat, and salivary glands. Compared with photon therapy, the effect of impaired physiological functions, such as taste and swallowing function, can be significantly reduced.

According to the report from the M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, IMPT can reduce damage to the pharynx, thus reducing the risk of tube feeding during treatment. In addition, other side effects such as nausea, dry mouth, and loss of taste and endocrine disorders may also be reduced by proton therapy. Reducing side effects allows the patient to maintain their nutritional status and avoid dehydration. It helps to increase the effectiveness of the treatment, and significantly improve quality of life during and after treatment.

Clinical Study of Proton Therapy 

As the IMPT is a novel technology, so we hope that all patients can be treated in the most rigorous way. This demand requires clinical study. Clinical study are not using a treatment that no one used before and testing it on patients with no knowledge about it. It is a standardized treatment which is carried out with strict rules and careful manner, supplemented by thorough monitoring. Then the quality of treatment can be maintained, and the advantages of the proton therapy can be clearly revealed.

When pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer patients receiving proton therapy, they will enter a prospective observation study. In addition to the treatment and monitoring procedures, other necessary examinations and quality of life questionnaires will also be provided. With such a global surveillance, we can understand the proton therapy more, and keeps the best quality of the treatment.

Process of Proton Therapy

IMPT for pharyngeal and laryngeal cancer takes about 15-30 minutes a day, five days a week, for 7-8 weeks. Severity of side effects, including sore throat and other issue mentioned above, varies individually. But essential management will be provided by medical staff. However, IMPT may not be suitable for every patient with pharyngeal or laryngeal cancer. For indications of proton therapy or other questions, we welcome you to discuss with us. 

Article author: Dr. Kang-Hsing Fan