Comparison of intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) and intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for oropharyngeal cancer: efficacy and toxicity differ by outcome measure

AIM: Whether intensity-modulated proton therapy (IMPT) offers measurable clinical benefits over intensity-modulated radiotherapy (IMRT) for oropharyngeal cancer remains debated. METHODS: We pooled data from two phase III randomized trials and one matched cohort study comparing IMPT with IMRT and analyzed disease-control, survival, acute toxicity, and nutritional outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: IMPT's primary advantage is reducing acute toxicity, not improving efficacy.