Why is proton therapy used?
It is used to treat tumors that have not spread and are near essential body parts, for example, cancer near the brain or the spinal cord. It may be used as the only treatment for the condition or may be used in conjunction with other therapies, such as surgeries and chemotherapy.
It is mainly used to treat cancers;
In the central nervous system cancers such as chordoma
Eye cancer including Choroidal Melanoma
Head and neck cancers including some nasopharyngeal cancers
Tumors affecting the spine
Tumors in the base of the skull
How proton therapy works:
A machine called a synchrotron or cyclotron is used that speeds up the protons thus creating high energy. Due to this energy, the protons travel to the desired depth of the body and provide the targetted radiation dose in the tumor.
The number of treatment sessions depends upon the type and stage of cancer. Sometimes, the doctor delivers proton therapy in 1-5 proton beam treatments. If a person receives a single, large dose of radiation, it is called radiosurgery.
Side effects of proton therapy:
The treatment is painless but fatigue can be experienced later on. Some skin problems may arise including redness, swelling, irritation, dryness or blistering, and pealing. It may also include hair loss and soreness around the body part being treated.
The side effects of proton therapy largely depend upon the part of the body being treated, the size of the tumor, and the types of healthy tissues near the tumor.
Risks and benefits:
Usually, up to 60%, less can be delivered to the healthy tissues around the tumor which lowers the risk of radiation damage to these tissues.
It may allow for a higher radiation dose to the tumor that increases the chances for all the tumor cells targetted by proton therapy to be destroyed.
Not all cancers can be treated with proton therapy.
It may cost more than x-ray radiation therapy.
Proton therapy is very useful in treating certain cancers and is also beneficial for children. Since it affects only the particular body part that has been affected, there is a low chance of damage to any other body parts. There are a lot of factors to consider before going for proton therapy but till now it has been the most successful and least damaging method for certain cancer treatments
Sources:
Comments