Carbon ions precisely targeting a laryngeal tumor.

Carbon Ion Therapy: A Promising Treatment for Laryngeal Cancer

Nico Varela in Health & Wellness August 2025 • 4 min read.

"New research highlights the feasibility and safety of accelerated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for laryngeal malignancies, offering hope for improved outcomes."

Laryngeal cancer, affecting the voice box, presents significant treatment challenges due to its proximity to vital structures. Traditional treatments often struggle to balance tumor control with the preservation of essential functions like speaking and swallowing. Recent advancements explore the use of carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) as a promising alternative, particularly for radioresistant tumors.

A new study investigates the outcomes of using accelerated hypofractionated active raster-scanned CIRT for laryngeal malignancies. This approach aims to deliver precise, high-dose radiation to the tumor while minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissues. The study focuses on the feasibility, safety, and efficacy of CIRT in patients with laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and chondrosarcoma (CS).

This article will delve into the findings of this research, examining how CIRT is administered, its impact on local control and survival rates, and the side effects experienced by patients. It offers insights into the potential of CIRT as a valuable treatment option for individuals facing laryngeal cancer, especially those with tumors resistant to conventional radiotherapy.

How CIRT Works and What the Study Revealed

Carbon ions precisely targeting a laryngeal tumor.

The study retrospectively analyzed 15 patients with laryngeal ACC or CS who underwent CIRT at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT) between 2013 and 2018. CIRT was administered either alone (46.7%) or in combination with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) (53.3%). The researchers assessed local control (LC), overall survival (OS), and distant progression-free survival using the Kaplan-Meier method. Toxicity was evaluated according to the Common Toxicity Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE) v4.03.

Key findings from the study include:

High Local Control: No local or locoregional recurrences were observed during the median follow-up of 24 months.
Good Overall Survival: All patients were alive at the last follow-up.
Organ Preservation: Total laryngectomy was avoided in 93% of patients, highlighting the organ-sparing potential of CIRT.
Manageable Toxicity: The therapy was generally well-tolerated, with no grade >3 acute or chronic toxicity identified. The most common acute grade 3 side effects were dysphagia (13%) and odynophagia (20%).

These results suggest that accelerated hypofractionated CIRT is a feasible and safe treatment option for radioresistant laryngeal malignancies. The approach demonstrates excellent local control rates with moderate acute and late toxicity, offering a promising alternative to traditional radiotherapy methods.

The Future of CIRT in Laryngeal Cancer Treatment

The study's findings contribute valuable evidence supporting the use of CIRT for laryngeal cancer, particularly in cases where tumors are resistant to conventional radiotherapy. The high local control rates, good overall survival, and manageable toxicity profiles suggest that CIRT can offer significant benefits for patients with these challenging malignancies.

While the results are promising, the authors emphasize the need for further research with larger patient cohorts and longer follow-up periods to fully evaluate the long-term clinical outcomes of CIRT. Future studies should also explore the potential for optimizing treatment protocols to further reduce toxicity and improve patient quality of life.

As technology advances and access to CIRT expands, this innovative treatment approach may become an increasingly important tool in the fight against laryngeal cancer, offering hope for improved outcomes and a better quality of life for patients.

About this Article -

This article was crafted using a human-AI hybrid and collaborative approach. AI assisted our team with initial drafting, research insights, identifying key questions, and image generation. Our human editors guided topic selection, defined the angle, structured the content, ensured factual accuracy and relevance, refined the tone, and conducted thorough editing to deliver helpful, high-quality information.See our About page for more information.

This article is based on research published under:

DOI-LINK: 10.3390/cancers10100388, Alternate LINK

Title: Accelerated Hypofractionated Active Raster-Scanned Carbon Ion Radiotherapy (Cirt) For Laryngeal Malignancies: Feasibility And Safety

Subject: Cancer Research

Journal: Cancers

Publisher: MDPI AG

Authors: Sati Akbaba, Kristin Lang, Thomas Held, Olcay Bulut, Matthias Mattke, Matthias Uhl, Alexandra Jensen, Peter Plinkert, Stefan Rieken, Klaus Herfarth, Juergen Debus, Sebastian Adeberg

Published: 2018-10-18

Everything You Need To Know

What exactly is accelerated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT)?

Accelerated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) is a type of radiation therapy that uses accelerated carbon ions to target and destroy cancer cells. Unlike traditional radiotherapy, CIRT can deliver a precise, high dose of radiation to the tumor while minimizing damage to the surrounding healthy tissues. This approach is particularly beneficial for treating radioresistant tumors in the larynx, such as laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) and chondrosarcoma (CS).

Why is the use of accelerated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) important in treating laryngeal cancer?

The use of accelerated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) is significant for several reasons. Firstly, it offers high local control rates, meaning it effectively prevents the cancer from returning in the treated area. Secondly, it demonstrates good overall survival, indicating that patients live longer after treatment. Thirdly, CIRT allows for organ preservation, in this case, avoiding total laryngectomy in a high percentage of patients. This is crucial because it preserves essential functions like speaking and swallowing, which are often compromised by traditional treatments like conventional radiotherapy. The precise targeting of CIRT reduces side effects, leading to a better quality of life for patients.

What are the implications of using accelerated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) for laryngeal cancer treatment?

The implications of using accelerated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) are far-reaching. The study showed no local or locoregional recurrences during the follow-up period. This indicates the efficacy of CIRT in controlling the disease locally. The study also revealed a good overall survival rate, with all patients alive at the last follow-up, suggesting that CIRT can extend life expectancy. Importantly, the therapy has the potential for organ preservation, allowing patients to maintain their ability to speak and swallow. The manageable toxicity profile means that patients experience fewer severe side effects, leading to an improved quality of life.

How is accelerated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) administered?

Carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) is administered using a precise, targeted approach. In the study, accelerated hypofractionated active raster-scanned CIRT was used. This method delivers a high dose of radiation directly to the tumor while minimizing exposure to the surrounding healthy tissues. CIRT was administered either alone or in combination with intensity modulated radiotherapy (IMRT), depending on the individual case. The study at the Heidelberg Ion Beam Therapy Center (HIT) analyzed 15 patients with laryngeal adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) or chondrosarcoma (CS) treated with CIRT, assessing local control, overall survival, and toxicity.

What are the common side effects associated with accelerated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT)?

The side effects associated with accelerated carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) are generally manageable. The study found no grade >3 acute or chronic toxicity. The most common acute grade 3 side effects were dysphagia (difficulty swallowing) and odynophagia (painful swallowing). These side effects, while present, were not severe and did not significantly compromise the patients' well-being. This is a notable advantage over conventional radiotherapy, which often causes more severe and debilitating side effects.