AUTHOR=Chuong Michael D. , Hallemeier Christopher L. , Li Heng , Zhu Xiaorong Ronald , Zhang Xiaodong , Tryggestad Erik J. , Yu Jen , Yang Ming , Choi J. Isabelle , Kang Minglei , Liu Wei , Knopf Antje , Meijers Arturs , Molitoris Jason K. , Apisarnthanarax Smith , Giap Huan , Hoppe Bradford S. , Lee Percy , Chang Joe Y. , Simone Charles B. , Lin Steven H. TITLE=Executive Summary of Clinical and Technical Guidelines for Esophageal Cancer Proton Beam Therapy From the Particle Therapy Co-Operative Group Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Subcommittees JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology VOLUME=11 YEAR=2021 URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2021.748331 DOI=10.3389/fonc.2021.748331 ISSN=2234-943X ABSTRACT=

Radiation therapy (RT) is an integral component of potentially curative management of esophageal cancer (EC). However, RT can cause significant acute and late morbidity due to excess radiation exposure to nearby critical organs, especially the heart and lungs. Sparing these organs from both low and high radiation dose has been demonstrated to achieve clinically meaningful reductions in toxicity and may improve long-term survival. Accruing dosimetry and clinical evidence support the consideration of proton beam therapy (PBT) for the management of EC. There are critical treatment planning and delivery uncertainties that should be considered when treating EC with PBT, especially as there may be substantial motion-related interplay effects. The Particle Therapy Co-operative Group Thoracic and Gastrointestinal Subcommittees jointly developed guidelines regarding patient selection, treatment planning, clinical trials, and future directions of PBT for EC.