What is Proton Therapy?

 

When seeking treatment for cancer, it sometimes seems like radiation is the only option. However, in recent years, a knew form of cancer treatment therapy has begun to show outstanding results, particularly with prostate and breast cancer. When treating cancer, people must go through many advanced cancer treatment options. Here’s an introduction into what proton cancer treatment is and if it is the right fit for you.

Proton cancer treatment is unlike conventional radiation therapy, in that it does not continue beyond the tumor. Proton therapy stops at a very specific point in the intended tissue, meaning no radiation to the heart and around 50% less radiation to the lungs when put side-by-side to conventional radiation. It can usually begin around four to six weeks after surgery or chemotherapy, and is given over a rather short period of six weeks. For treatment of prostate cancer and treatment for breast cancer, this is rather good news. There is lower risk to damage the surrounding tissue and will allow for a less invasive procedure than conventional radiation treatment.

Proton cancer treatment also shows positive signs of preventing cancer recurrence. It was reported that 99% of low-risk patients,94% of medium-risk patients and 74% of high-risk patients have no signs of their cancer returning. Not only that, but proton cancer treatment decreases he dosage of radiation to gastrointestinal structures by around 59%, when compared to X-rays.

Proton cancer treatment is on the rise. At the start of 2015,more than 30 particle treatment facilities , which include around 80 treatment rooms, were under construction around the world. By the end of 2017, the United States alone will have nearly 27 proton therapy centers, thereby doubling the current number and attaining a revenue of upwards of $1.17 billion.

Proton therapy is a non-invasive cancer treatment. Sessions usually last between 15 to 45 minutes. But the actual time the protons are deliver to the tumor is only one or two of those minutes. Proton therapy offers around 60% less radiation to normal, healthy tissue surrounding the tumor, drastically lowering the risk of radiation damage. This makes for a quick, and incredibly effective treatment option.

Across Asia, Europe and the U.S., more than 67,000 people have received proton therapy, with 31,000 of those being just in the United States. It continues to grow as an effective means to battle the relentless disease of cancer. Check with your physician to see if proton therapy is an option for you.