Clinical Oncology & Radiation Therapy

Proton Beam Therapy

Proton therapy is an advanced type of radiation treatment that uses a beam of protons to deliver radiation directly to the tumor, destroying cancer cells while sparing healthy tissues. Protons enter the body with a low radiation dose, stop at the tumor, match its shape and volume or depth, and deposit the bulk of their cancer-fighting energy right at the tumor. Proton therapy benefits patients, whose tumors are solid with defined borders, meaning that the cancer has not spread to other parts of the body. Proton radiation, once delivered to the targeted tumor site, has a very short life. After you complete treatment, one can leave the treatment room without any risk or radiation exposure to others. Depending on the case and type of cancer, proton therapy may be used in combination with traditional radiation therapy, chemotherapy and surgery. Currently, Proton Therapy is used to treat cancers of the prostate, lung, head and neck, liver, esophagus and brain, as well as for the treatment of lymphoma, pediatric cancers.