Radiation therapy is one of the most common cancer treatment options. While traditional radiation therapy uses X-rays, a more advanced type of radiation treatment called proton beam therapy (PBT) uses protons instead of X-rays to destroy cancer cells.
Protons are positively charged particles found in the nucleus of an atom. During PBT, a machine called a cyclotron speeds up the protons and forms a beam that is directed towards the tumor. The protons deposit most of their energy directly into the tumor, minimizing damage to surrounding healthy tissue.
There are a few types of cancers where proton beam therapy is especially helpful. These include:
- Brain and base of skull tumors such as meningioma, glioma, pituitary tumor, acoustic neuroma
- Head and neck cancers including nasal cavity, paranasal sinus disease, and some nasopharyngeal tumors
- Spinal and pelvic sarcomas, which are cancers that occur in delicate tissue and bone
- Prostate cancers
- Lung cancers
- Liver cancers
- Eye cancers like uveal melanoma or choroidal melanoma
- Central nervous system cancers like chordoma, chondrosarcoma, and malignant meningioma (Read more on the types of bone cancer here.)
- Non-cancerous brain tumors
Risks and benefits
In comparison to X-ray radiation treatment, proton treatment has a few advantages:
- More precise targeting of the tumor
- Reduced radiation exposure to healthy tissue
- Potentially fewer side effects
- Lower risk of secondary cancers caused by radiation
However, PBT also has some limitations:
- High cost
- Limited availability (fewer treatment centers)
- Not suitable for all types of cancer or all patients
- Requires specialized planning and expertise
Please get in touch with us at Onco.com if you need more information around the applicability of proton beam therapy for cancer treatment for you or your loved one. Onco.com experts work with proton therapy centres and can help you with an opinion and treatment.