PROTON THERAPY

Edited by, SNEHA MAVIS

A proton is a subatomic particle that is positively charged. Protons are employed in proton therapy, also known as proton beam therapy, a cancer treatment. Protons can kill cancer cells at high energies. Prostate cancer, brain cancer and tumors are examples of diseases that are being targeted. Proton therapy, which uses high energy protons rather than X-rays, can successfully target a tumor while leaving the surrounding healthy area less affected than regular radiation therapy.

Before considering any therapy, careful planning is required to ensure that proton therapy is appropriate for the patient. The patient is positioned in a machine on the treatment table, X-rays or CT scans are taken, and positioning data is programmed into a computer to ensure that patient is in the same position for each therapy.

The treatment can be given once the patient is properly positioned. The healthcare professionals will leave the room and operate the machine from the outside. The protons travel directly to the tumour through the machine and the magnets. An invisible Beam is directed at the tumorous area. The radiation is released with pencil-point precision, allowing protons to interact with electrons and release high energy. The high energy is then directed to its intended destination, the tumour. The therapy will often last around 15 to 30 minutes depending on the part of the body being treated and the number of sessions required.

When compared to X-Ray radiation therapy, proton beam therapy has numerous benefits. As proton therapy targets the tumor, there is 60% less radiation on the surrounding healthy tissue. A study of men with localized prostate cancer found that proton therapy was related with an 89% disease free survival rate. 

Although proton beam therapy is painless, there are some side effects that have been studied, such as fatigue, redness, irritation, swelling and peeling of the targeted area. In comparison to other therapies, proton therapy has been found to have less side effects.