Key considerations in reviewing "a comparison of the outcomes between surgical resection and proton beam therapy for single primary hepatocellular carcinoma": the importance of scientific objective perspectives in clinical studies

Toshiyuki Okumura; Hirokazu Makishima; Hideyuki Sakurai

doi:10.1007/s00595-020-01961-4

Key considerations in reviewing "a comparison of the outcomes between surgical resection and proton beam therapy for single primary hepatocellular carcinoma": the importance of scientific objective perspectives in clinical studies

Surg Today. 2020 Aug;50(8):944-945. doi: 10.1007/s00595-020-01961-4. Epub 2020 Jan 21.

Authors

Toshiyuki Okumura¹, Hirokazu Makishima², Hideyuki Sakurai³

Affiliations

¹ Proton Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan. okumura@pmrc.tsukuba.ac.jp.
² National Institute of Radiological Sciences, National Institutes for Quantum and Radiological Science and Technology, Chiba, Japan.
³ Proton Medical Research Center, University of Tsukuba, 1-1-1 Tennodai, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan.

PMID: 31965261
DOI: 10.1007/s00595-020-01961-4

Abstract

Proton beam therapy and carbon-ion radiotherapy, also known as particle beam therapy, are gaining popularity in cancer care and liver tumor treatment is one of the main areas of interest. Comparative studies are in high demand and the article highlights this. While the data presented in this article are without doubt valuable, we raise concerns about their interpretation.

Keywords: Hepatocellular Carcinoma; Liver; Particle Therapy.

Publication types

Letter

MeSH terms

Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / radiotherapy*
Carcinoma, Hepatocellular / surgery*
Comparative Effectiveness Research*
Hepatectomy*
Humans
Liver Neoplasms / radiotherapy*
Liver Neoplasms / surgery*
Proton Therapy*