Tag: proton

Proton Therapy for Cancer Treatment | Cancer Types

Types of Cancer That Can Be Treated With Proton Therapy

Proton therapy for cancer treatment is a type of radiation therapy that uses protons instead of X-rays. It is preferred by many physicians because it allows them to precisely aim the highest dose to the tumor while minimizing damage to nearby healthy tissues and vital organs. It also reduces the risks of side effects. 

Since proton therapy is non-invasive, non-surgical, and highly precise, it is an ideal treatment for some cancers, especially those that haven’t spread yet to other parts of the body. So, what types of cancer can be treated using proton therapy?

  • Prostate Cancer

One of the most common types of cancer among American men is prostate cancer. According to research, about one out of every nine men will develop this disease during their lifetime. It usually occurs after the age of 50. Fortunately, approximately 80 percent are …

New study suggests proton therapy for lung cancer lowers risk of heart disease

When treating lung cancer with radiation therapy, there is a significant concern that the treatment dose will expose the heart to excess radiation. One way to avoid this unnecessary radiation is by using proton therapy, a more precise form of radiation therapy as compared to traditional radiation therapy (x-rays/photons).

Researchers now say there is a link between lung cancer proton therapy and a reduced risk of certain heart diseases, including mini-strokes and heart attacks.

ABOUT THE STUDY

The findings of a new study from Penn Medicine were presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO) annual meeting in October by Timothy Kegelman, MD, PhD, chief resident in the department of Radiation Oncology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Kegelman and his team of researchers followed more than 200 patients who underwent either proton therapy or traditional radiation therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The retrospective …