Brain, Skull Base, and Spinal Tumors

Abstract

The physical and biological advantages of particle therapy, such as proton therapy or Carbon Ion Radiotherapy (CIRT), over conventional photon radiotherapy have already exploited for decades. Naturally, intracranial tumors are favorably suited for CIRT due to the necessity of sparing of vital surrounding tissue and thus maintaining neurological functions. Moreover, many primary brain tumors are characterized by radioresistance, and the biological properties of CIRT may overcome these properties and lead to increased local control and potentially overall survival. While most studies and clinical evaluations have been performed in gastrointestinal tumors, neurooncology focused groups have evaluated CIRT in different brain and skull base tumors. The majority of spinal chordomas are located at the sacral spine. Due to their location they can also be associated with severe neurological morbidity such as bowel and urinary dysfunction. Thus, high-precision radiotherapy is mandatory for sacral chordomas.