Study: Proton beam radiation therapy can help treat eye cancer
It is possible for patients suffering from cancer affecting their eyetoavoid such consequences as a visual handicap, the loss of the eyeorspread of the disease through proton beam radiation therapy. Thisisthe conclusion of a new study performed by physicians in the U.K.whichhas been published in the latest edition of the International Journal of Radiation Oncology*Biology*Physics, the official journal of the American Society for Therapeutic Radiology and Oncology.
Thestudy was conducted at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre on349patients with melanoma of the eye who were determined to not besuitedfor other forms of treatment.
Of the 346 patients chosento undergo proton beam radiation therapy,79.1 percent of them retainedtheir level of sight at the five yearmark after the treatment.Additionally, 212 patients were found to have20/40 vision and 44.8percent of them were able to retain that levelfive years afterwards.The survival rates for the patients was alsohigh with 90 percent of thepatients able to recurring disease at thefive year mark, according tothe study.
For more information on radiation therapy for head and neck cancers, visit www.astro.org/patient/treatment_information
Thestudy was conducted at the Liverpool Ocular Oncology Centre on349patients with melanoma of the eye who were determined to not besuitedfor other forms of treatment.
Of the 346 patients chosento undergo proton beam radiation therapy,79.1 percent of them retainedtheir level of sight at the five yearmark after the treatment.Additionally, 212 patients were found to have20/40 vision and 44.8percent of them were able to retain that levelfive years afterwards.The survival rates for the patients was alsohigh with 90 percent of thepatients able to recurring disease at thefive year mark, according tothe study.
For more information on radiation therapy for head and neck cancers, visit www.astro.org/patient/treatment_information