Hypofractionated proton beam therapy for centrally located lung cancer.

INTRODUCTION: To clarify the efficacy and safety of hypofractionated proton beam therapy (PBT) for centrally located lung cancer. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed 39 patients who received hypofractionated [≧3 Gy (relative biological effectiveness: RBE)/fraction] PBT for centrally located cT1-2N0M0 (8th edition) lung cancer between 1999 and 2015. A tumour within 2 cm of the proximal bronchial tree was defined as a centrally located tumour. RESULTS: Twenty-four patients (62%) were treated with 80 Gy (RBE) in 20 fractions (112 Gy10 ), whereas eight (21%) were treated with 66 Gy (RBE) in 10 fractions (109.56 Gy10 ). The median follow-up period for censored patients was 48 months (range: 4-140). The 2-year progression-free survival (PFS) and overall survival (OS) rates were 86 and 100% for T1 disease and 56 and 94% for T2 disease, respectively. Patients who received 110 Gy10 or higher showed significantly better PFS than those who received less than 110 Gy10 , while no significant difference was noted in OS between the two groups. The sites of the first progression were local in six patients (27%), regional in seven (32%), distant in seven (32%), and local and distant in two (9%). Among the 13 patients with loco-regional recurrence, only two (15%) received treatments with curative intent. Dyspnoea of grade 3 was noted in one patient (3%), and pneumonitis of grade 2 was noted in four patients (10%). CONCLUSION: Hypofractionated PBT may be a very safe and effective treatment option for centrally located early lung cancer.

Proton beam therapy for olfactory neuroblastoma.

PURPOSE: To clarify the efficacy and feasibility of proton beam therapy (PBT) for olfactory neuroblastoma (ONB). METHODS AND MATERIALS: We retrospectively reviewed 42 consecutive patients who received PBT with curative intent for ONB at National Cancer Center Hospital East from November 1999 to March 2012. RESULTS: Five patients (12%) had Kadish A disease, nine (21%) had Kadish B, and twenty-eight (67%) had Kadish C. All patients except one received a total dose of 65Gy (relative biological effectiveness: RBE) in 26 fractions. Twenty-four patients (57%) received induction and/or concurrent chemotherapy. The median follow-up for all eligible patients was 69months (7-186). The 5-year overall survival (OS) and progression-free survival (PFS) rates were 100% and 80% for Kadish A, 86 and 65% for Kadish B, and 76% and 39% for Kadish C, respectively. The sites of the first progression were local in six patients (30%), regional in eight (40%), distant in two (10%), local and regional in two (10%), and local and distant in two (10%). Late adverse events of grade 3-4 were seen in six patients (ipsilateral visual impairment, 3; bilateral visual impairment, 1; liquorrhea, 1; cataract, 1). CONCLUSION: PBT was a safe and effective modality for ONB.