Advantages of Proton Radiation Therapy Versus Conventional Radiation

 

If you are newly diagnosed with cancer and have actively been researching your treatment options, you have probably come across proton radiation therapy. Proton radiation therapy is a newer treatment option, but it rapidly growing. At the beginning of 2015, more than 30 particle therapy centers, with a total of about 80 treatment rooms, were under construction worldwide. Proton radiation therapy has many advantages over conventional types of radiation.

Reduced radiation to risky parts of the body

The problem with some radiation treatments it that they target parts of the body without cancer. It can be difficult to hone in on a specific area. If the cancer is in a risky location, such as with brain cancer treatment, there are many severe risks associated with the radiation treatment. Proton radiation therapy, however, is a cancer treatment therapy that has the ability to hone in on the specific, targeted area. Proton therapy is a type of radiation that stops at a very specific point in the targeted tissue, conventional radiation continues beyond the tumor. In breast cancer, this means on average no radiation to the heart and on average 50% less radiation to the lung as compared with conventional radiation.

Faster treatment time

Traditional radiation treatments require the patient to sit in a room for hours at a time. This can be extremely time consuming and can make it difficult to go about your life. Proton cancer treatment differs in that the process is much faster. A treatment session generally takes 15 to 45 minutes, however, the actual time spent delivering the protons to the tumor is generally only about a minute or two. Patients can be in and out in no time.

Fewer side effects

Traditional radiation is known for being extremely difficult on the body. However, because the benefits outweigh the negatives, the treatment is used regularly. With proton radiation therapy, the side effects tend to be reduced and sometimes, completely overcome. Due to proton therapy?s targeted approach, studies have found that prostate cancer patients treated using this method have a significantly reduced risk of impotence, with 94% of men reporting that they remain sexually active after treatment. The fewer side effects apply to the treatment of many different kinds of cancer.

Fewer dietary and life restrictions

Although a well rounded and healthy lifestyle is important during any cancer treatment, traditional radiation can limit and actually increase danger for those who continue to drink or eat poorly. Additionally, conventional radiation therapy can cause a series of gastrointestinal problems, reducing the desire to eat. It is important to keep up with a healthy diet to have sufficient strength for any type of radiation.

With proton radiation therapy at the cancer treatment center, most patients can continue with their daily eating habits and daily medications. According to the CDC, 34.5% of men (20 years and older) are obese and 32.6% have high blood pressure or are taking prescriptions for hypertension. Although it is best to bring down obesity and reduce blood pressure, the time during proton radiation therapy or breast cancer treatment may not be the best time.

Until recently, the majority of cancers were treated with conventional radiation treatments. These treatments tend to have significant side effects, including impotence, a change in eating habits, and trouble sleeping. With proton radiation therapy, the cancer is better targeted and the side effects are reduced. The proton radiation therapy process is also quicker, making it easier to adjust to. Proton radiation therapy is growing around the world and we are likely to see an increase in treatment centers offering it.