Analysis of the Results of Proton Radiation Therapy of Patients with Squamous Cell Carcinoma of the Head and Neck

Abstract

Purpose: To evaluate the severity of early radiation reactions and the first results of proton therapy treatment of patients with squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck. Material and methods: From January 2019 to March 2022, more than 1 400 patients received proton therapy on the proton-cyclotron complex ProteusPlus235. The search for patients was carried out in the database of patients who received proton radiation therapy for oncological diseases in the FMBA system of Russia. The study included 62 patients with confirmed squamous cell carcinoma and the unifying model was: proton therapy in the mode of five-day fractionation of SFD 2 Gr, TFD 50 Gy for locoregional lymphatic collector zones and TFD 60–70 Gy for the area of the primary tumor focus and high-risk zones. The age group is from 18 to 78 years. According to the classification of ICD10 — 35 patients were diagnosed with C00–C14 “Malignant neoplasms of the lip, oral cavity and pharynx” (56,4 %), 27 patients with C30–C32 “Malignant neoplasms of the upper respiratory organs” (43,5 %). Results: The assessment of long-term treatment results and the severity of radiation complications requires a systematic and uniform approach and is the subject of further research, along with the development of optimal patient models for treatment by proton pencil-beam scanning therapy. Conclusions: Proton beam and proton chemoradiotherapy have demonstrated decreasing trends or comparable frequency and severity of radiation reactions compared to photon therapy. In this regard, the decision to choose a treatment method should be based on an assessment of clinical efficacy, relapse-free and event-free survival, which is the subject of further scientific research.