Comparing Proton Therapy to Photon Radiation Therapy for Esophageal Cancer

Summary

This trial studies how well proton beam radiation therapy compared with intensity modulated photon radiotherapy works in treating patients with stage I-IVA esophageal cancer. Proton beam radiation therapy uses a beam of protons (rather than x-rays) to send radiation inside the body to the tumor without damaging much of the healthy tissue around it. Intensity modulated photon radiotherapy uses high-energy x-rays to deliver radiation directly to the tumor without damaging much of the healthy tissue around it. It is not yet known whether proton beam therapy or intensity modulated photon radiotherapy will work better in treating patients with esophageal cancer.

Timeline

Start

2019-06-26

Primary completion

2026-12-21

Completion

2031-12-21

Publications

• Muijs CT, Klaver YLB, Nuyttens J, Lips IM, Muller K, Ebrahimi GM, Dankers FJWM, Verhoeven R, Schuit E, Berbee M. National indication protocol for proton radiotherapy in esophageal cancer patients in the Netherlands. Radiother Oncol. 2025 Dec;213:111164. doi: 10.1016/j.radonc.2025.111164. Epub 2025 Sep 24.

Drugs

Indications