Intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) achieved non-inferior progression-free survival (PFS) compared to intensity-modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) in patients with stage III/IV oropharyngeal cancer.
Remarkably, IMPT was associated with a significant improvement in 5-year overall survival (90.9% vs. 81.0%, p=0.045) and a lower rate of deaths from disease progression.
Proton therapy significantly reduced high-grade toxicities, including severe lymphopenia, dysphagia, and long-term gastrostomy tube dependence.
These findings suggest that IMPT should be considered a new standard-of-care treatment for oropharyngeal cancer, balancing oncologic efficacy with a superior safety profile.
Background: The Evolution of Radiotherapy in Oropharyngeal Cancer
