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Solid tumours make up 90% of all proliferative diseases and the main action for cure remains surgery, removing the visible tumour as well as the surrounding tissue. Radiotherapy is an added value for eliminating local microscopic as well as regional disease. Systemic treatment has a small impact on the outcome but has a cost, which is as much as all the other actions such as diagnostic tools and treatments. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Particle, essentially, proton radiotherapy (RT) could provide some benefits over photon RT, especially in reducing the side effects of RT. We performed a systematic review to identify the performed randomised clinical trials (RCTs) and ongoing RCTs comparing particle RT with photon therapy. So far, there are no results available from phase 3 RCTs comparing particle RT with photon therapy. Furthermore, the results on side effects comparing proton and carbon ion beam RT with photon RT do vary. The introduction of new techniques in photon RT, such as image-guided RT (IGRT), intensity-modulated RT (IMRT), volumetric arc therapy (VMAT) and stereotactic body RT (SBRT) was already effective in reducing side effects. At present, the lack of evidence limits the indications for proton and carbon ion beam RTs and makes the particle RT still experimental. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]