Proton therapy offers new hope for head and neck cancer patients facing second radiation
NCT ID NCT07635641
First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026 · Updated 1 time
Summary
Some head and neck cancer patients experience a tumor return in an area already treated with radiation. Surgery may not be an option, and standard radiation risks harming healthy tissue. This study tests proton therapy, which delivers radiation more precisely to the tumor while sparing nearby organs. Researchers will track side effects, tumor control, survival, and quality of life in 50 patients to see if this approach is safe and effective.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.
- Active substance
- proton therapy
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could show that proton therapy is a safer and effective option for patients with head and neck cancer that has come back after prior radiation.
- What could go wrong
- This is a small observational study (50 people) with no comparison group, so results may not apply to everyone. Proton therapy is still experimental for re-irradiation, and side effects are possible.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
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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
Locations
-
IRCCS Humanitas Research Hospital
RECRUITINGRozzano, Milano, 20089, Italy
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