The reductions were found in nausea, blood abnormalities, and loss of appetite. Those effects, as well as fatigue, and lung and heart problems, are common for patients undergoing esophageal cancer treatment.

Chuong told DOTmed News that his team's research is the first to illustrate the dosimetric value of proton therapy on the side-effect profiles for esophageal cancer. "It's exciting that we're now connecting the benefits of protons on treatment planning computers with the real world experience," he said.


Proton therapy is a costly procedure but as outcomes continue to justify its use, the treatment is becoming more and more common. Currently there are an estimated 14 facilities in the U.S., and several more under construction. Including one in Maryland, which is expected to treat 2,000 patients per year when it opens.

As more and more data is generated to illustrate the meaningful benefits of proton therapy, less traditional disease sites are beginning to accumulate their own bodies of evidence. For Chuong, seeing that trend emerge was one of the more exciting aspects of this year's PTCOG.

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