Intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT) - The future of IMRT for head and neck cancer.

ABSTRACT: Radiation therapy plays an integral role in the management of head and neck cancers (HNCs). While most HNC patients have historically been treated with photon-based radiation techniques such as intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT), there is a growing awareness of the potential clinical benefits of proton therapy over IMRT in the definitive, postoperative and reirradiation settings given the unique physical properties of protons. Intensity modulated proton therapy (IMPT), also known as "pencil beam proton therapy," is a sophisticated mode of proton therapy that is analogous to IMRT and an active area of investigation in cancer care. Multifield optimization IMPT allows for high quality plans that can target superficially located HNCs as well as large neck volumes while significantly

SUBMITTER: Moreno AC 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6615027 | biostudies-literature | 2019 Jan

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature