International experts in radiation oncology and medical physics convened for “Particle Therapy for Primary & Recurrent Skin Cancers,” a webinar hosted by the University of Florida Health Proton Therapy Institute in partnership with CYCLHAD and its clinical partner, Centre François Baclesse. The program highlighted growing international collaboration and new clinical insights into treating high-risk, non-melanoma skin cancers.
Dr. Curtis Bryant, Associate Professor of Radiation Oncology at UFHPTI, focused on the challenges of perineural invasion in head and neck disease, where tumors spread along branches of the trigeminal and facial nerves. As invasion extends closer to the skull base, outcomes worsen, making precise treatment planning critical. Data discussed during the session reinforced the prognostic impact of more proximal nerve involvement and the importance of comprehensive nerve coverage.
Early experience with pencil beam scanning proton therapy suggests encouraging outcomes for patients with advanced zonal invasion, while reducing radiation exposure to critical structures such as the brainstem compared with conventional photon techniques. Dr. Dinu Stefan, Head of Proton Therapy at Centre François Baclesse / CYCLHAD, shared similarly positive results using weekly hyperfractionated proton therapy in high-risk and recurrent cases, reporting strong disease control with largely manageable skin toxicity and growing interest in combining treatment with immunotherapy.
From a physics perspective, Dr. Dorte Liebitz, Medical Physicist at Centre François Baclesse / CYCLHAD emphasized the importance of dose accuracy in superficial tumors, noting how air gaps can affect surface dose. She introduced a newly developed detector designed to better measure skin dose, reflecting continued efforts to refine and optimize particle therapy for complex primary and recurrent skin cancers.
The presentations underscored a shared message – particle therapy is becoming an increasingly important option for patients with aggressive or recurrent skin cancers, supported by multidisciplinary collaboration and ongoing research.
