Proton beams vs X-Rays: which is better for liver cancer?
NCT ID NCT03186898
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This phase III trial tests whether proton radiation therapy works better than standard photon (X-ray) radiation for people with liver cancer that cannot be removed by surgery or has come back. The study involves 115 participants and compares overall survival and side effects. Proton therapy may stop more precisely at the tumor, possibly sparing healthy tissue.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
Active substance
Proton radiation therapy
What this could lead to
If successful, this could establish proton therapy as a better standard treatment for liver cancer, potentially improving survival and reducing damage to healthy organs.
What could go wrong
This is a mid-stage trial with only 115 participants, so results may not apply to all liver cancer patients. The study is not yet complete, and the expected benefit may not be confirmed.
Disclaimer
Read more
Show less
This is a summary of
the original study
.
Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.
Get updates
Get notified about this study
Sign up to get updates when this study changes or when new studies for UNRESECTABLE HEPATOCELLULAR CARCINOMA are added.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Conditions
The condition(s) this trial relates to.
As listed by the trial registrant
The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.
Contacts and locations
Show contact details
Enter your email to view the contact information for this study.
By submitting, you agree to our Terms of use
Locations
-
Case Western Reserve University
Cleveland, Ohio, 44106, United States
-
Corewell Health Beaumont Troy Hospital
Troy, Michigan, 48085, United States
-
Corewell Health Dearborn Hospital
Dearborn, Michigan, 48124, United States
-
Corewell Health William Beaumont University Hospital
Royal Oak, Michigan, 48073, United States
-
Emory Proton Therapy Center
Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, United States
-
Emory Saint Joseph's Hospital
Atlanta, Georgia, 30342, United States
-
Emory University Hospital Midtown
Atlanta, Georgia, 30308, United States
-
Emory University Hospital/Winship Cancer Institute
Atlanta, Georgia, 30322, United States
-
Fred Hutchinson Cancer Center
Seattle, Washington, 98109, United States
-
Maryland Proton Treatment Center
Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
-
Massachusetts General Hospital Cancer Center
Boston, Massachusetts, 02114, United States
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Basking Ridge
Basking Ridge, New Jersey, 07920, United States
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Bergen
Montvale, New Jersey, 07645, United States
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center
New York, New York, 10065, United States
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Commack
Commack, New York, 11725, United States
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Monmouth
Middletown, New Jersey, 07748, United States
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Nassau
Uniondale, New York, 11553, United States
-
Memorial Sloan Kettering Westchester
Harrison, New York, 10604, United States
-
New York Proton Center
New York, New York, 10035, United States
-
Northwestern Medicine Cancer Center Warrenville
Warrenville, Illinois, 60555, United States
-
Ohio State University Comprehensive Cancer Center
Columbus, Ohio, 43210, United States
-
UT MD Anderson Cancer Center
Houston, Texas, 77030, United States
-
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center-UC Medical Center
Cincinnati, Ohio, 45219, United States
-
University of Cincinnati Cancer Center-West Chester
West Chester, Ohio, 45069, United States
-
University of Maryland/Greenebaum Cancer Center
Baltimore, Maryland, 21201, United States
-
University of Washington Medical Center - Montlake
Seattle, Washington, 98195, United States
-
Washington University School of Medicine
St Louis, Missouri, 63110, United States