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| |  Spot Scanning-Based Proton Radiotherapy Delivers Good Local Control Results: Presented at ASTRO By John Otrompke CHICAGO -- November 10, 2009 -- A form of radiotherapy based on active scanning has treated 421 patients between 1996 and 2008, and has provided patients with local control rates above 80%, including 100% rates of local for patients with chordomas of the total spine without major surgical stabilisation. “Unlike passive scanning, which is insensitive to organ motions, this technology is based on active scanning,” said Eugen B. Hug, MD, Center for Proton Therapy, Paul Scherrer Institut, Villigen, Switzerland, on November 4 at the American Society of Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology (ASTRO) 51st Annual Meeting. Use of the technology has evolved since it was instituted in 1996, and healthcare providers now make use of magnetic scanners and range shifters, according to Dr. Hug. Between 1996 and 2005, treatments were delivered at 2 gy per fraction, 4 fractions per week, but since 2007, the newly dedicated cyclotron permitted year-round treatments of 5 fractions per week. Dr. Hug discussed the experience with the technology at the Institute. Since 1996, 421 patients have been treated with proton beam therapy, ranging in age from as young as 1 year to 88 years. Of diseases treated, 50% were chordomas and chondrosarcomas of the skull base or the axial skeleton, 15% were soft-tissue and osteogenic sarcomas, and 18% were meningiomas and primary tumours of the central nervous system, such as ependymomas, craniopharyngiomas, and gliomas. More than 120 patients have 5-year data available for them, and more than 280 patients have been followed for more than 2 years. Of 64 patients treated for chordomas, 81% enjoyed 5-year actuarial local control while for those with chondrosarcomas, the number was 94%. For meningiomas, 92% enjoyed local control at 3 years, and for soft-tissue sarcomas, the figure was 74% at 4 years. In addition, 51 children and infants were treated with the technology between 2004 and 2007; they experienced preliminary local control rates of 86%. In order to avoid setting off nuclear reactions in patients with metal in their bodies, the technology is not used on those with complex tumours or massive reconstruction, said Dr. Hug. [Presentation title: Clinical Results of Spot Scanning Based Proton Radiotherapy: Experience at the Paul Scherrer Institute Since 1996. Abstract 250]
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