Carbon ion radiotherapy in the management of non‐small cell lung cancer

Despite advancements in local-regional and systemic therapies, non-small cell cancer (NSCLC) remains a leading cause of death worldwide. Among those treated with standard-of-care modalities, 30–60% experience disease recurrence. Carbon ion radiotherapy (CIRT) is form densely ionizing unique physical biological advantages over traditional photon proton modalities. CIRT expected to have superior impact on tumors, believed be less impacted by the presence tumor hypoxia or cycle state. It also shows highly conformal dose deposition due reduced lateral scattering particles, limiting radiation delivered adjacent organs at risk. To implement as viable option treatment NSCLC, technical aspects delivery – including appropriate beam arrangements, calculation algorithms, radiobiological models, methods motion management must thoroughly investigated. Furthermore, randomized clinical trials comparing versus modalities performed show benefits risks associated this novel modality. This review discusses rationale for utilizing available data date, potential future investigations that may pave path improving outcomes diagnosed NSCLC.