The Role of Particle Therapy in Adenoid Cystic Carcinoma and Mucosal Melanoma of the Head and Neck

Abstract

Particle irradiation is suitable for resistant histologies owing to a combination of improved dose delivery with potential radiobiologic advantages in high linear energy transfer radiation. Within the head and neck, adenoid cystic carcinoma and mucosal melanoma are two such histologies, being radioresistant and lying closely proximal to critical structures. Here, we review the use of particle irradiation for adenoid cystic carcinoma and mucosal melanoma of the head and neck.

Keywords

• carbon-ion radiotherapy
• particle radiotherapy
• adenoid cystic carcinoma
• mucosal melanoma
• proton radiotherapy