Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 11, 2026
Proton Therapy Delivery and Its Clinical Application in Select Solid Tumor Malignancies
Published on: February 6, 2019
Proton therapy and radiation sensitivity in dyskeratosis congenita
Rebecca I Hartman1, Christine E Hill-Kayser
1Department of Radiation Oncology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA.
Background:
Patients with dyskeratosis congenita (DC) have an increased risk of cancer, but also exhibit heightened radiation sensitivity. Proton therapy improves sparing of normal tissue, and thus may reduce radiation toxicity in patients with DC.
Observations:
We present a pediatric patient with DC who was treated with adjuvant proton therapy for oropharyngeal cancer. He experienced more severe skin toxicity and mucositis than expected. With reduced fractions per week and extensive supportive care, he completed the full radiation course.
Conclusions:
Proton therapy can improve normal tissue sparing, allowing successful delivery of radiation therapy in DC patients.
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