ONCOmmunity

Proton Beam Therapy for Local Recurrence of Rectal Cancer.

By: Yuichi Hiroshima, Hitoshi Ishikawa, Motohiro Murakami, Masatoshi Nakamura, Shosei Shimizu, Tsuyoshi Enomoto, Tatsuya Oda, Masashi Mizumoto, Kei Nakai, Toshiyuki Okumura, Hideyuki Sakurai

Department of Radiation Oncology, Proton Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba Hospital, Tsukuba, Japan; hiroshima@pmrc.tsukuba.ac.jp.
2021-02-04; doi: 10.21873/anticanres.15147

Abstract

Background/aim

Curing local recurrence of rectal cancer (LRRC) is difficult with conventional photon radiotherapy. Proton beam therapy (PBT) on the other hand, has unique physical characteristics that permit higher doses to LRRC while minimizing side effects on surrounding organs. However, the efficacy of PBT on controlling rectal cancer recurrence has not yet been reported. This study aimed to evaluate clinical outcomes and toxicities of PBT for LRRC.

Patients

Clinical outcomes were retrospectively evaluated for 12 patients with 13 total lesions that had received PBT for LRRC at our institute.

Results

The median follow-up period from the initiation of PBT was 35.6 months. The 3-year local control, progression-free survival and overall survival rates were 80.2%, 10.4% and 73.8%, respectively. Median survival time was 67.1 months. There were no severe acute or late adverse events.

Conclusion

PBT could be a safe and effective treatment method for LRRC.