Proton therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma: Current knowledges and future perspectives

Area of Science:

• Oncology
• Radiation Oncology
• Medical Physics

Background:

• Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a leading cause of cancer mortality with limited curative treatment options.
• Radiation therapy (RT) is an alternative or combination therapy for unresectable HCC.
• Advancements in RT technologies are enhancing HCC management.

Purpose of the Study:

• To review the physical properties of proton beam therapy (PBT).
• To discuss current clinical data on PBT for HCC.
• To identify technical challenges and future perspectives of PBT in HCC treatment.

Main Methods:

• Review of existing literature on PBT for HCC.
• Analysis of physical properties and dosimetric advantages of PBT.
• Evaluation of clinical outcomes and safety data.

Main Results:

• PBT offers dosimetric advantages over X-ray therapy due to its finite range and lack of exit dose.
• Clinical data suggest favorable outcomes and improved safety with PBT for HCC patients.
• Technical issues include uncertainties in organ motion, tissue density, and beam range calculations.

Conclusions:

• PBT presents significant advantages for HCC treatment.
• Addressing technical challenges is crucial for optimizing PBT robustness.
• Further research and technological development are needed for PBT in HCC management.