UKOF 2018 | Integration of proton beam therapy with existing modalities

Physicians may encounter difficulties integrating proton beam therapy amongst existing radiotherapy options. Here, Neil Burnet, MA, MBBChir, FRCR, MD, of the Precise Group, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK, explores this. He highlights the importance of a comprehensive follow-up approach to patients who have received proton beam therapy, especially when it is used in combination with pharmaceuticals. To illustrate this point, he notes that the cardiotoxicity profiles of both radio- and chemotherapy are noticeable only after 15 years or so – substantially longer than we have had access to proton beam therapies and the subsequent follow-up data.