Research progress of heavy ion treatment for melanoma / 中华放射医学与防护杂志

ABSTRACT

Malignant Melanoma derived from melanocytes,characterized by early metastasis and high mortality,is the most aggressive malignancy among the skin cancers,and also found in mucous membranes,eyes and other parts of the choroid.It is traditionally considered to be radio-resistant to conventional radiotherapy.However,the emergence of heavy ion radiotherapy has drastically improved the treatment effect of the melanoma.Because of the inverted depth-dose distribution,the energy of heavy ions is precisely deposited in the tumor site,so as to protect the surrounding normal tissues.Heavy ions provide higher biological effectiveness and a lower oxygen effect compared with photons.So,it is an advanced radiotherapy method in the 21st century.In this review,we summarized the biological effects researches and clinical applications of heavy ions in the treatment of malignant melanoma,hopefully providing a reliable reference for future standardized heavy ion treatment of malignant melanoma.