Re-irradiation using proton beam therapy combined with weekly intra-arterial chemotherapy for recurrent oral cancer

Aim The purpose of this study was to clarify the efficacy and toxicities of re-irradiation using proton beam therapy combined with weekly intra-arterial chemotherapy for recurrent oral cancer. Methods Between October 2009 and July 2014, 34 patients who had recurrent oral cancer were treated by proton beam therapy combined with intra-arterial infusion chemotherapy at the Southern Tohoku Proton Therapy Center, Japan. Results For all patients, the median follow-up was 25 months (range, 3–77 months). After treatment, 22 patients (65%) achieved a complete response, and 12 patients (35%) achieved a partial response at the primary tumor site. One-year and 2-year overall survival (OS) rates were 62% and 42%, respectively. One-year and 2-year LC rates were 77% and 60%, respectively. No treatment-related deaths were observed during the treatment and follow-up periods. Conclusion Re-irradiation using proton beam therapy combined with weekly intra-arterial chemotherapy improved OS and local control rates compared with other treatment modalities and could become a new treatment modality for patients with recurrent oral cancer.