Proton Therapy (also known as Proton Beam Therapy) is a form of radiation therapy which destroys cancer cells using positively charged sub-atomic particles called protons. Proton beam focuses more energy and more precisely at the cancer site compared to the x-rays used in standard radiotherapy thereby resulting in less exposure or damage to nearby healthy tissues and organs.
Click to view Proton Therapy IBA video on How Proton Therapy Works
Advantages of Proton Therapy
Less radiation exposure and therefore less collateral damage to nearby healthy tissues and organs
Less treatment-related side effects like nausea, vomiting or fatigue
Faster treatment times
Which cancers can be treated with Proton Therapy
Proton Therapy can be used to treat localised cancers which have not spread to other parts of the body such as;
Before the treatment, the medical team will perform tests such as CT or MRI scans to map out the tumour precisely to provide a suitable treatment plan for you. At each treatment session, your body is positioned carefully using some markings on your body or a custom-fitted mask so that the proton beam hits the target precisely. You will not feel any pain during the treatment.
Side effects
The side effects are less than standard radiotherapy and they include
Tiredness and fatigue
Sore or red (like sun burn) areas on the skin around the treatment area
Hair loss around the treatment area
Discuss with your doctor or oncologist about your cancer treatment plan
Disclaimer. TELEME blog posts contains general information about health conditions and treatments. It is not intended to be a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. The information is not advice and should not be treated as such.
If you think you may be suffering from any medical condition, you should seek immediate medical attention from your doctor or other professional healthcare providers. You should never delay seeking medical advice, disregard medical advice, or discontinue medical treatment because of information on this website.
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