OPENMetastatic Tumor
Carbon ion radiotherapy for metastatic tumors
Indications
Carbon ion radiotherapy is performed for metastatic tumors in the following cases.
| Disease | Indication | |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metastatic lung tumors | Oligometastatic lung tumors (3 or fewer) |
| 2 | Metastatic liver tumors | Oligometastatic liver tumors (3 or fewer) |
| 3 | Metastatic lymph nodes | Small number of metastases to lymph nodes |
The 3 diseases indicated above are currently the only metastatic conditions for which carbon ion radiotherapy is approved. The treatment would not be indicated if, for example, lung cancer metastasized to bone or the adrenals. Each of the qualifying diseases is explained briefly below.
1. Metastatic lung tumors
Metastatic lung tumors refer to tumors that initially form at another site and metastasize to the lung, where they grow. They are referred to as metastatic lung tumors to distinguish them from lung cells that become cancerous (primary lung cancer).
The types of cases treated with carbon ion radiotherapy are those with no metastasis outside the lungs, and with 3 or fewer lung metastases.
2. Metastatic liver tumors
As with metastatic lung tumors, these are cancers that metastasize to the liver from other organs. The treatment is indicated if the primary tumor has been treated, there is no metastasis to organs other than the liver, and there are 3 or fewer metastatic lesions.
3. Metastatic lymph nodes
Metastasis to the lymph nodes is an indication. Although this is defined as being a small number of lymph nodes, pathologies such as isolated metastases localized to a small region are considered suitable for the treatment due to the difficulty of counting individual lymph nodes. By primary disease organ, metastases from lung, colorectal, and uterine cancer are commonly treated. Nevertheless, a requirement for treatment is an absence of active cancer lesions other than in the lymph nodes to be treated.
Treatment record in QST hospital
| Disease | Period | Number of Patients | |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Metastatic lung tumors | 2003 to 2015 | 83 |
| 2 | Metastatic liver tumors | 2013 to 2017 | 30 |
| 3 | Metastatic lymph nodes | 1996 to 2015 | 250 |
For overall metastatic lung tumors, Yamamoto et al.*1 reported a 2-year survival rate of 71% and Takahashi et al.*2 reported a 2-year survival rate of 65% in 34 patients with metastasized colorectal cancer.
*1 Yamamoto N, et al. Pulmonary Med. 2013;219746, 6.
*2 Takahashi W, et al. Radiat Oncol. 2014;9:68.