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Seeing the Benefits




Proton therapy is effective in treating many types of cancers as well as some non-cancerous tumors and arteriovenous malformations. Tumors commonly treated with protons include prostate cancer, brain cancer, pediatric cancers, lung cancer, base-of-skull tumors, tumors near the spine, melanoma of the eye, and anal cancers and other gastrointestinal (GI) cancers. Additional tumors may also be treated with proton therapy. Only a doctor can help you determine the best treatment approach.

Who benefits most from proton therapy?

Proton therapy is recommended for many patients, including children who usually have more serious short- and long-term side effects from X-ray radiation than adults. It is also recommended for patients whose tumors are near critical organs or structures as well as for patients whose cancers have recurred and who cannot tolerate any more X-ray radiation. And since proton therapy causes fewer side effects than X-ray radiation, it can often be used in combination with chemotherapy, as a follow-up treatment to surgery, and in combination with standard X-ray radiation. You should discuss combination therapy with a radiation oncologist as well as a medical oncologist to decide the best treatment option.

Tumors treated with proton therapy »

Benefits at a glance1-7

  • Fewer short- and long-term side effects
  • Proven to be effective in adults and children
  • Targets tumors and cancer cells with precision, reducing the risk of damage to surrounding healthy tissues and organs
  • Reduces risk of secondary tumors caused by treatment
  • Can be used to treat recurrent tumors even in patients who have already received radiation
  • Improves quality of life during and after treatment
Next: Medical Review Process »

References

  1. Steneker M, Lomax A, Schneider U. Intensity modulated photon and proton therapy for the treatment of head and neck tumors. Radiother Oncol. 2006;80(2):263-267.
  2. Miralbell R, Lomax A, Cella L, Scheider U. Potential reduction of the incidence of radiation-induced second cancers by using proton beams in the treatment of pediatric tumors. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2002;54(3):824-829.
  3. Chung CS, Keating N, Yock T, Tarbell N. Comparative analysis of second malignancy risk in patients treated with proton therapy versus conventional photon therapy. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2008;72(1):S8.
  4. Lee CT, Bilton SD, Famiglietti RM, et al. Treatment planning with protons for pediatric retinoblasta, medulloblastoma, and pelvic sarcoma: how do protons compare with other conformal techniques? Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2005;63(2):362-372.
  5. Komaki R, Sejpal S, Wei X, et al. Reduction of bone marrow suppression for patients with stage III NSCLC treated by proton and chemotherapy compared with IMRT and chemotherapy. Particle Therapy Cooperative Group 47. 2008;O10:14.
  6. Mayahara H, Murakami M, Kagawa K, et al. Acute morbidity of proton therapy for prostate cancer: the Hyogo Ion Beam Medical Center experience. Int J Radiat Oncol Biol Phys. 2007;69(2):434-443.
  7. Fowler JF. What can we expect from dose escalation using proton beams? Clin Oncol. 2003;15(1): S10-S15.