New study aims to uncover hidden dental risks of proton therapy in kids
NCT ID NCT07057284
First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026
Summary
This study looks at dental and jaw problems in children who had proton beam therapy for head and neck cancer. Researchers will survey survivors and review dental records to see how often these side effects occur and how they relate to radiation dose. The goal is to gather information that will help design a better way to report and manage these toxicities in the future.
What this could mean
Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.
- What this could lead to
- If successful, this study could help doctors better understand and predict dental and jaw problems in children after proton beam therapy, leading to improved monitoring and communication.
- What could go wrong
- This is an early-stage feasibility study, not a treatment trial. It may not produce definitive results, and findings may not apply to all patients or treatment centers.
This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.
Study facts
What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.
- Participants
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About 255 people
The number the study aims to enrol. It can still change while the study runs.
- Expected to start
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Jan 2026
An estimate. Start dates often move.
- Expected to finish
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Jan 2027
An estimate. End dates often move.
- Lead sponsor
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A government agency
The lead sponsor is a government body.
Who can take part
This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.
Who is studied
Childhood head and neck cancer survivors who were treated with proton beam therapy either in the National Health Service Proton Overseas Programme or at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust.
- Ages
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2 to 32 years
- Sex
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Anyone
- Healthy volunteers
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Not accepted
This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.
Show the full entry requirements Hide the full entry requirements
Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.
INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR THE SURVEY AND FEASIBILITY STUDY (steps A-D): * (i) CCS previously diagnosed with HNC. This includes the oral cavity (lips, front two-thirds of the tongue, the gums, the lining inside the cheeks and lips, the floor of the mouth, under the tongue and the hard palate), the throat (nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx), the voice box (larynx), the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity and the salivary glands * (ii) Any sex. * (iii) Currently a minimum age of 2 years. * (iv) Treated with PBT at The Christie PBT centre (Manchester, UK) or treated overseas with PBT as part of the NHS Proton Overseas Programme. * (v) Completed treatment with PBT when aged 15 years and under. * (vi) Completed treatment with PBT more than 12 months ago. * (vii) Able and willing to provide informed consent or informed consent provided by a parent or person with parental responsibility in law for a child currently aged less than 16 years old who meets the inclusion criteria outlined in (i) to (vi). * (viii) Language - Capacity to translate study documents and conduct interviews in the following languages: English, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. INCLUSION CRITERIA FOR STEP E OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY * (i) CCS previously diagnosed with HNC. This includes the oral cavity (lips, front two-thirds of the tongue, the gums, the lining inside the cheeks and lips, the floor of the mouth, under the tongue and the hard palate), the throat (nasopharynx, oropharynx and hypopharynx), the voice box (larynx), the paranasal sinuses, nasal cavity and the salivary glands. * (ii) Any sex. * (iii) Currently a minimum age of 2 years old for a clinical assessment without a radiograph to be conducted. The minimum age of a participant that a radiograph will be attempted at is 3 years old. * (iv) Referred for PBT treatment by the Oncology team at The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital. * (v)Treated with PBT at The Christie PBT centre (Manchester, UK) or treated overseas with PBT as part of the NHS Proton Overseas Programme. * (vi) Completed treatment with PBT when aged 15 years and under. * (vii) Completed treatment with PBT more than 12 months ago. * (viii) Attending annual review clinics at either The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital ("follow-up clinic") or at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust ("late effects clinic") with the Oncology team. * (ix) Able and willing to provide informed consent or informed consent provided by a parent or person with parental responsibility in law for a child currently aged less than 16 years old who meets the inclusion criteria outlined in (i) to (viii). * (x) Language - English, Arabic, Chinese, Dutch, French, German, Italian, Portuguese, Russian, Spanish and Turkish. EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR THE SURVEY AND FEASIBILITY STUDY (steps A-D) * (i) Deceased patients * (ii) Aged greater than or equal to 16 years old at the time of diagnosis * (iii) Currently aged less than 2 years old * (iv) Completed PBT less than 12 months ago. (Although the minimal follow-up time for dentofacial toxicities to develop is unknown, it is felt that setting this restriction will enable eligible participants to have processed their treatment and had multiple reviews within this first year. This criterion of follow-up was discussed with the developed patient advisory group and this timeframe was felt to be the most appropriate). * (v) Individuals treated with PBT overseas but not referred from a UK centre (not in the Proton Overseas Programme). For example, individuals whose care was privately funded or funded by an insurance company. The PCO Database maintained by the PCOU will not hold outcome data for privately funded patients. * (vi) A parent or person with parental responsibility in law for a CCS now aged greater than 16 years old. * (vii) Exclusion of any participant who does not speak a language specified in the inclusion criteria. EXCLUSION CRITERIA FOR STEP E OF THE FEASIBILITY STUDY * (i) Deceased patients * (ii) Aged greater than or equal to 16 years old at the time of diagnosis * (iii) Currently aged less than 2 years old * (iv) Completed PBT less than 12 months ago. * (v) Individuals treated with PBT overseas but not referred from a UK centre (not in the Proton Overseas Programme). For example, individuals whose care was privately funded or funded by an insurance company. * (vi) No radiation delivered to the maxilla, mandible and/or teeth. * (vii) A parent or person with parental responsibility in law for a CCS now aged greater than 16 years old. * (viii) Living outside of the Greater Manchester region and not attending routine annual clinics with the Oncology team at The Royal Manchester Children's Hospital or at The Christie NHS Foundation Trust. * (ix) Exclusion of any participant who does not speak a language specified in the inclusion criteria.
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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.
How to take part
Only the study team decides who joins. These are the ways to reach them.
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The places running it
2 sites. The list below names each one and where it is.
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The official record
The full official record for this study. This one lists no contact details, but it is the first place any would appear.
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A doctor treating you
A doctor who knows your case can contact a study site on your behalf, and can tell you whether this study is worth pursuing at all.
Contacts and locations
Locations
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Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester, M13 9WL, United Kingdom
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The Christie NHS Foundation Trust
Manchester, M20 4BX, United Kingdom
More trials for these conditions
Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.
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- Why do children with cancer feel pain differently? study compares pain sensitivity and activity