Proton Beam Radiation Therapy for Oropharyngeal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

PURPOSE: To discuss the role of proton beam therapy (PBT) in the treatment of patients with oropharyngeal squamous cell carcinoma (OPSCC). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A review of the pertinent literature. RESULTS: Proton beam therapy likely results in reduced acute and late toxicity as compared with intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT). The extent of the reduced toxicity, which may be modest, depends on the endpoint and technical factors such as pencil beam versus passive scattered PBT and adaptive replanning. The disease control rates after PBT are likely similar to those after IMRT. CONCLUSION: Proton beam therapy is an attractive option to treat patients with OPSCC. Whether it becomes widely available depends on access.