National Protocol for Model-Based Selection for Proton Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer

Johannes A Langendijk; Frank J P Hoebers; Martin A de Jong; Patricia Doornaert; Chris H J Terhaard; Roel J H M Steenbakkers; Olga Hamming-Vrieze; Jeroen B van de Kamer; Wilko F A R Verbakel; Fatma Keskin-Cambay; Johannes B Reitsma; Arjen van der Schaaf; Liesbeth J Boersma; Ewoud Schuit

doi:10.14338/IJPT-20-00089.1

National Protocol for Model-Based Selection for Proton Therapy in Head and Neck Cancer

Int J Part Ther. 2021 Jun 25;8(1):354-365. doi: 10.14338/IJPT-20-00089.1. eCollection 2021 Summer.

Authors

Affiliations

¹ Department of Radiation Oncology, University of Groningen, University Medical Centre Groningen, Groningen, the Netherlands.
² Department of Radiation Oncology (MAASTRO clinic), GROW School for Oncology and Developmental Biology, Maastricht University Medical Centre, the Netherlands.
³ Department of Radiation Oncology, Leiden University Medical Centre, Leiden, the Netherlands.
⁴ Department of Radiation Oncology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.
⁵ Department of Radiation Oncology, the Netherlands Cancer Institute, Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
⁶ Department of Radiation Oncology, Amsterdam UMC, Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam, Cancer Center Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
⁷ Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
⁸ Julius Center for Health Sciences and Primary Care, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht University, Utrecht, the Netherlands.

Abstract

In the Netherlands, the model-based approach is used to identify patients with head and neck cancer who may benefit most from proton therapy in terms of prevention of late radiation-induced side effects in comparison with photon therapy. To this purpose, a National Indication Protocol Proton therapy for Head and Neck Cancer patients (NIPP-HNC) was developed, which has been approved by the health care authorities. When patients qualify according to the guidelines of the NIPP-HNC, proton therapy is fully reimbursed. This article describes the procedures that were followed to develop this NIPP-HNC and provides all necessary information to introduce model-based selection for patients with head and neck cancer into routine clinical practice.

Keywords: head and neck cancer; model-based selection; national indication protocol; proton therapy; radiation-induced side effects.