Carbon-ion radiation therapy is a safe treatment option for head and neck melanomas

This study investigated the effectiveness and safety of carbon-ion radiation therapy (CRT) for mucosal melanoma of the head and neck. Researchers suggested that CRT is an important treatment option for these patients.

Mucosal head and neck melanomas account for roughly 1% of all melanomas. However, is typically aggressive and have a poor prognosis. In patients with operable tumors the 5-year overall survival (time from treatment until death from any cause) ggggggggggggwas 25% to 46%. These melanomas are known for being resistant to radiation therapy.

CRT is a type of radiation therapy that uses carbon ions which are more active in killing cancer cells. However, it is not clear the role of CRT in head and neck melanomas.

The objective of this study was to investigate the outcomes of CRT in head and neck melanomas. This study included 260 patients who underwent CRT. The average follow-up period was 22 months.

The 2-year overall survival was 69.4%. The tumor control rates among these patients were 83.9%. The 2-year progression-free survival (time from treatment to cancer progression) was 40.4%.

On the last follow-up, 102 patients (39%) died of their disease. Of the remaining 159 patients, 96 experienced distant metastasis (spread to other parts of the body). 48 patients survived more than 5 years.

In general, only moderate side effects were reported. 7 patients experienced more severe effects: 5 patients experienced blindness, 1 patient had a mucosal ulcer and 1 patient had a second cancer.  

This study determined that the CRT is an important treatment option for head and neck melanoma patients, with manageable side effects. 

Ask your physicion about carbon-ion therapy as a treatment option