Particle Radiotherapy for Skull Base Chondrosarcoma: A Clinical Series from Italian National Center for Oncological Hadrontherapy

Background: The standard treatment for skull base chondrosarcoma (SB-CHS) consists of surgery and high-dose radiation therapy. Our aim was to evaluate outcome in terms of local control (LC) and toxicity of proton therapy (PT) and carbon ion (CIRT) after surgery. Materials and methods: From September 2011 to July 2020, 48 patients underwent particle therapy (67% PT, 33% CIRT) for SB-CHS. PT and CIRT total dose was 70 GyRBE (relative biological effectiveness) in 35 fractions and 70.4 GyRBE in 16 fractions, respectively. Toxicity was assessed using the Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events (CTCAE v5). Results: After a median follow-up time of 38 months, one local failure (2%) was documented and the patient died for progressive disease. Overall, 3-year LC was 98%. One (2%) and 4 (8%) patients experienced G3 acute and late toxicity, respectively. White-matter brain changes were documented in 22 (46%) patients, but only 7 needed steroids (G2). No patients had G3 brain toxicity. No G4–5 complications were reported. We did not find any correlation between high-grade toxicity or white-matter changes and characteristics of patients, disease and surgery. Conclusions: PT and CIRT appeared to be effective and safe treatments for patients with SB-CHS, resulting in high LC rates and an acceptable toxicity profile.