Analysis of Proton vs. Photon Radiotherapy in Oligodendroglioma and Assessment of Cognitive Health (APPROACH)

Research summary

We want to improve treatment for people diagnosed with oligodendroglioma (ODG). ODG is a rare type of brain tumour, and many people continue to live for many years after diagnosis. The standard treatment for ODG involves surgery which will remove as much of the tumour as possible followed by radiotherapy (RT) and chemotherapy treatments. In the UK, standard radiotherapy treatment uses photon radiotherapy. This treatment is given as lots of small doses called fractions, usually on weekdays over 6 weeks. This is the best way to treat the tumour and minimise side effects in normal brain tissue. Sometimes, however, photon RT can cause long-term side effects in normal brain tissue. These side effects can develop many years after the treatment and may include memory problems or difficulties processing information. We call these sorts of problems ‘neurocognitive problems’. Proton Beam Therapy (PBT) is an alternative type of radiotherapy treatment. This treatment is also given on weekdays over 6 weeks. PBT can reduce the dose of RT delivered to normal brain tissue, including some of the parts of the brain that are involved in memory and processing information, and so we think PBT may cause fewer neurocognitive problems. This study will look at whether the lower doses to the normal brain tissue from PBT result in fewer long-term side-effects.

Principal Investigator

Dr Fouzia Andleeb

Contact us

Email: latephaseoncology@ouh.nhs.uk

IRAS number

306432