How Proton Therapy May Provide Safer Cancer Treatment

Cancer treatments have unique side effects. But new proton therapy promises to do a better job of solving this problem   top cancer specialists talk about how this treatment will help cancer patients when it becomes available in India.

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* Radiation Therapy: Radiation is commonly used in cancer treatment to target and kill cancer cells and tumors. We usually use photons or electrons in radiation.

Photon radiation has a greater penetration depth, whereas the former does not penetrate deeply, so the latter is usually used for superficial tumors. About 95% of most radiation procedures in India are performed using photon irradiation machines. Photon radiation, however, is very energetic and often causes damage to healthy tissue and cells around the tumor.   Breast cancer specialists are doctors who perform the cancer treatment procedure through various methods.

Possible reduced side effects: Proton therapy is available in some Western countries. There is evidence that this type of radiation therapy can deliver higher doses of radiation within the tumor. Therefore, proton therapy can reduce radiation dose to regular healthy tissue by up to 70%, ultimately with fewer side effects. So you receive similar advantages as proton radiation, but with a finer toxicity profile for healthy cells.
Future therapies: Currently, most photon radiation is produced by small machines mounted on robotic arms. This is also because photon beam therapy has been in the country for a while, so there have been significant changes and developments.

This advance in proton therapy has yet to happen. Currently, proton therapy requires enormous infrastructure. But there is a lot of enthusiasm and literature about proton therapy, and within a few decades, we may even have proton machines the same size as photonic machines.
It can reduce the occurrence of secondary cancer. In the West, proton therapy is mainly used to treat tumors in children. Some cancer patients who can afford treatment choose proton therapy because it offers several unique benefits. Because the photon energy is very high, a second cancer is likely. However, the dose of proton radiation is small for healthy cells. Therefore, the risk of developing a second cancer is small.

What is Proton Therapy?

Proton therapy, popularly known as proton beam therapy, is a variant of radiation therapy that utilizes high-energy protons (positively charged atoms) to damage the DNA of cancer cells. This variety of cancer treatments is non-invasive, painless, and accurate. It works on the genetics of cancer cells to destroy them and prevent them from reproducing.
The doctor can precisely control the proton beam and aim it directly at the tissue to be treated, avoiding or minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissue.
These differences make proton therapy a good choice for treating cancers in or near critical areas such as the brain or heart.

How does Proton Therapy Work?

The proton irradiation team begins by measuring a target tumor site’s shape, location, and depth. The treatment team uses this information to design a high-precision proton beam that emits most of its energy directly into the tumor.
A proton beam emits very little energy when it enters the body and very little radiation when it leaves the body. This means less exposure to nearby healthy tissue, reducing the risk of side effects.

Benefits of Proton Radiation for Cancer

Proton therapy is more accurate than other forms of radiation therapy. Our radiation oncologists can design a radiation beam that precisely matches the shape and depth of the tumor. The proton beam delivers most of its energy only to the target tissue.
More accurate and precise proton therapy can provide many benefits. Reduced radiation means less tissue damage in critical areas near the tumor and less risk of subsequent radiation-induced complications.
· Reduced damage to healthy tissue: Proton therapy can reduce radiation dose to healthy surrounding tissue by 50-70%. Reduced radiation means less tissue damage in critical areas near the tumor and a lower risk of subsequent radiation-induced complications.
· Higher Radiation Dose Potential: Higher radiation dose capability- the possibility of harm to the surrounding tissues indicates that the radiation team can increase the radiation dose to the tumor.
· Ability to treat cancer in critical areas: The precision of proton therapy makes it an excellent choice for tumors near vital organs and tissues that are sensitive to radiation.
· Fewer and milder side effects: In a recent study, patients reported fewer side effects such as pain, difficulty swallowing, shortness of breath, nausea, and diarrhea. Treatment can be completed without delay by reducing side effects and feeling better.
· Potentially higher cure rates: Because proton therapy can deliver higher doses of radiation, it can often provide long-term cancer control.
Conclusion –

From the first assessment to the final post-treatment visit, you can expect warmth, compassion, and a holistic experience from every member of the Penn Proton Therapy team.
We understand that cancer treatment can be complex and challenging. That’s why, in addition to your dedicated medical team, we have an experienced social work staff who will be your constant point of contact and provide you with reliable information, advice, and support.

FAQ –
1. How does proton therapy treat cancer?
Proton therapy, also known as proton beam therapy, is radiation therapy that uses a precise delivery of proton beams to destroy and kill tumor cells. Compared to conventional radiation, protons have unique properties that allow doctors to target radiation to tumor size and shape better.

1. What is the Superiority of proton beam therapy?
Proton beam therapy delivers precise amounts of high-energy protons to the tumor, reducing damage to surrounding healthy tissue and vital organs. This is advantageous for specific patient groups or when the cancer is close to an essential body part, such as the spinal cord.