Just like body conditions vary depending on each patient, a cancer even under the same name has various progressions and symptoms. Therefore, the information given here should be considered as a mere guideline. For more detailed information, please feel free to contact “Patient Support & Inquiries” at the SCC.
At the SCC, it must be confirmed in the first place that the proton beam irradiation is technically possible as a form of treatment for the tumor, and that localized irradiation is proper and effective. That is a postulate for the advanced medical care, namely “Proton Therapy for Malignant Tumor (Limited to Solid Cancer)” approved by the Ministry of Health, Labor and Welfare. Furthermore, there are the following common conditions applied for proton therapy.
No distant or lymph node metastases.
There is a difficulty for the patient to have a surgery under certain circumstances, including a case where the patient himself/herself does not wish to have a surgery.
In addition to the above, applicable conditions for respective cases are detailed in “Cases of Respective Body Parts and Applicable Conditions” below. Please note that even when those conditions are satisfied, there can still be some cases where proton therapy can’t be applied due to the size or the location of the tumor.
With full understandings on the state of tumor through preliminary examinations, a medical team led by the primary doctor discuss thoroughly about other options for treatment, including surgery, anticancer drug therapy and conventional radiation therapy, at the medical conference before deciding on whether the case is applicable for proton therapy.
|
Body Regin |
Disorder |
Applicable Condition |
|
Brain |
Pituitary Gland Tumor, |
Tumor can’t be removed entirely (i.e., case of subtotal removal) by surgery. Surgical procedure can’t be conducted for some reason, including cases where it is technically impossible or the patient doesn’t wish to have it. |
|
Skull Base |
Skull Base Tumor (Chordoma, Chondrosarcoma, etc.) |
Tumor couldn’t be removed entirely (i.e., case of subtotal removal) by surgery. Surgical procedure in skull base can’t be conducted for some reason, including cases where it is technically impossible or the patient doesn’t wish to have it. |
|
Head and Neck Region |
Otorhinolaryngologic Malignant Tumor (i.e., Nasal Cavity Cancer, Sinus Cancer, Mouth Cancer, Salivary Cancer, Nasopharyngeal Cancer, etc.), Orbital Tumor, etc. |
Size and progression of the tumor should be staged from T1 to T4, providing that there is no distant or endocranial spread. In case nodal metastasis is identified, it should be controlled by dissection. |
|
Chest |
Lung Cancer (Primary) |
The cancer must be of peripheral type in the stage Ⅰ. Pathological tissue sample should indicate that the cancer is either adenocarcinoma or of epidermoid, but not “small-cell lung cancer.” (Peripheral type cancer in the stage Ⅱ can be applicable depending on test results and symptoms.) |
|
Abdomen |
Hepatocellular Carcinoma |
Neither surgical procedure nor RFA can be conducted technically. Liver function must be retained regardless it is primary or a recurrence. (A and B including partly C in the child-Pugh classification are considered as applicable for proton therapy.) |
|
Cases Classified by Histological Type |
Malignant Melanoma in Nasal Cavity Mucosa |
When it is technically difficult to conduct an operation, it is applicable for the therapy. In addition, there should be no endocranial spread. |
|
Malignant Tumor in Bone/Soft Tissue |
There should be no distant spread or nodal metastasis. |
|
|
Pelvic Region |
Prostate Gland |
There should be no distant spread including metastasis in bone. In addition, there should be no nodal metastases. (Hormone therapy can be precedent depending on the PSA level and the Gleason score.) |
|
Postoperative Local Recurrence of Rectum Cancer |
There should be no adhesion between tumor and intestinal tract. |
|
|
Others |
Others |
Some cases of postoperative local recurrence of lung cancer, metastatic pulmonary tumor, and metastatic liver tumor can be considered as applicable. |
|
Pediatric Tumor |
Rhabdomyosarcoma, Ewing’s Sarcoma, Medulloblastoma, etc. |
Cases are discussed in collaboration with the Division of Pediatrics at the SCC to decide on applicability for proton therapy. |
Evaluation Test for Proton-beam Dose Tolerance in Nerves in Skull Base Chordoma and Chondrosarcoma
Evaluation Test of Prostatic Gland Displacement with a Rectum Deaerator Tube Set for Seriography of MRI
Multicenter Clinical Test for Safety Evaluation of Hypofractionation Proton Therapy for Hepatocellular Cancer
(All of the clinical tests above are conducted in the category of advanced medical care.)
