Stereotactic photon and proton radiation therapy for cranial tumors. Evidence based knowledge

Considering a high variety of modern radiotherapy technologies, practical doctors can hardly analyze advantages and shortcomings of different treatment options and make optimal decision. The goal of this survey is to show the base of evidence for stereotactic photon radiation therapy (SRT) and proton radiation therapy (PRT) in cranial tumors treatment. It’s well known that PRT takes advantage in oncopediatric practice, in the treatment of benign tumors with long life expectancy and possibly skull base tumors. By decreasing integral body dose PRT lowers risk of secondary malignancies and preserves cognitive function. In other cases PRT prevalence over advanced forms of photon radiotherapy is yet to be proved. To clearly see the difference we need to compare intensity modulated proton and photon radiation therapy. Studies continue.