AUTHOR=Dionisi Francesco , Scartoni Daniele , Fracchiolla Francesco , Giacomelli Irene , Siniscalchi Benedetta , Goanta Lucia , Cianchetti Marco , Sanguineti Giuseppe , Brolese Alberto 

TITLE=Proton therapy in the treatment of hepatocellular carcinoma

JOURNAL=Frontiers in Oncology

VOLUME=12

YEAR=2022

URL=https://www.frontiersin.org/journals/oncology/articles/10.3389/fonc.2022.959552

DOI=10.3389/fonc.2022.959552

ISSN=2234-943X

ABSTRACT=<p>Liver cancer represents one of the most common causes of death from cancer worldwide. Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) accounts for 90% of all primary liver cancers. Among local therapies, evidence regarding the use of radiation therapy is growing. Proton therapy currently represents the most advanced radiation therapy technique with unique physical properties which fit well with liver irradiation. Here, in this review, we aim to 1) illustrate the rationale for the use of proton therapy (PT) in the treatment of HCC, 2) discuss the technical challenges of advanced PT in this disease, 3) review the major clinical studies regarding the use of PT for HCC, and 4) analyze the potential developments and future directions of PT in this setting.</p>