Is proton therapy an option for Melanoma

Proton Therapy for Melanoma: What the Evidence Shows

Based on the current NCCN Guidelines for Patients: Melanoma (2025), proton therapy is not listed as a standard treatment option for melanoma at any stage.

What Radiation IS Recommended for Melanoma

According to NCCN Guidelines, when radiation therapy is used for melanoma, the recommended approaches include:

• Intensity-Modulated Radiation Therapy (IMRT) – uses multiple small beams of different strengths to target tumors while protecting surrounding healthy tissue
• Image-Guided Radiation Therapy (IGRT) – uses imaging to confirm tumor location before and during treatment
• Stereotactic Radiosurgery (SRS) – delivers a single high-dose treatment, typically preferred for brain metastases
• Stereotactic Radiotherapy (SRT) – similar to SRS but given in 1-5 sessions

Why Proton Therapy Isn't Standard for Melanoma

Melanoma treatment typically relies on:

1. Surgery as the primary treatment for early and regional disease
2. Immunotherapy (checkpoint inhibitors like nivolumab and pembrolizumab)
3. Targeted therapy (for BRAF mutations)
4. T-VEC intralesional therapy (injected directly into tumors)
5. Radiation therapy (when needed, using the techniques listed above)

Proton therapy, while used for some other cancers, hasn't become a standard recommendation in melanoma care based on current evidence.

Questions to Ask Your Oncologist

• Is radiation therapy recommended for my specific situation?
• If so, which type of radiation (IMRT, IGRT, or SRS) would be most appropriate?
• Are there clinical trials exploring newer radiation techniques for my stage of melanoma?
• What are the expected benefits and side effects of the radiation approach you're recommending?

This information is for educational purposes only. Always consult your healthcare team for personalized medical advice and decisions.