Hypofractionated particle beam therapy for hepatocellular carcinoma–a brief review of clinical effectiveness

Figure 1 The illustration of Bragg peak and spread-out Bragg peak.

Figure 2 Illustrations of doses and regimens of charged particle therapy in the treatment of different locations of hepatocellular carcinoma. For central tumors and tumors adjacent to the bowel, conventional fractionation of charged particle therapy (CPT) is a safe approach that not only provides good local tumor control but also lessens adverse effects. In contrast to that for central tumors, short-course hypofractionation of CPT might provide better outcomes for larger-sized tumors that are located at peripheral areas of the liver. PBT: Proton beam therapy; CIRT: Carbon ion radiotherapy.