Outcomes and prognostic factors of major salivary gland tumors treated with proton beam radiation therapy.

Background: Proton beam radiation therapy (PBRT) has dosimetric advantages compared to photon radiation therapy for the treatment of major salivary gland tumors (MSGTs). Methods: Patients with non‐metastatic MSGTs treated at a single proton therapy center from October 2013 to October 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Results: Sixty‐eight patients with MSGTs were included and the most common site and histology were the parotid gland (75.0%) and adenoid cystic carcinoma (22.1%), respectively. The 3‐year rates of locoregional control, progression‐free survival, and overall survival were 95.1% (95% CI: 89.9%‐100.0%), 80.7% (70.2%‐92.7%), and 96.1% (95% CI: 90.9%‐100.0%), respectively. Conclusion: In a large cohort of MSGTs treated with PBRT, the rates of locoregional control were high in short‐term follow‐up and treatment was well tolerated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]