A cancer diagnosis is a difficult one to receive, and it is quickly followed by the need to make some big decisions. Possibly the most significant one is which treatments to opt for.
Depending on the type of cancer, a patient might have the choice of anything from radiation and chemotherapy to immunotherapy and surgery.
According to Ackerman Cancer Center, when it comes to radiation, Proton Therapy is the most precise form a patient can choose for themselves.
How it works
Unlike traditional radiation therapy, Proton Therapy is targeted. It uses energy particles to destroy cancerous cells while also protecting healthy tissue.
“Proton Therapy works by delivering a very focused proton beam of energy to the tumor,” said Dr. Paul Ossi, board-certified radiation oncologist with Ackerman Cancer Center. “The proton beam of energy can be adjusted based on the depth of the tumor, allowing the proton radiation to be delivered to the tumor while limiting the radiation to surrounding healthy normal tissues.”
It’s important to add that Proton Therapy is sometimes used alone in cancer treatment, but it may also be combined with surgery and/or chemotherapy.
Because Proton Therapy limits radiation to surrounding healthy tissues, it is an ideal option for tumors close to critical organs.
Proton Therapy can be used to treat various cancers, including, but not limited to:
- Bladder
- Brain
- Breast
- Colorectal
- Eye
- Head and neck
- Liver
- Lung
- Lymphoma
- Pancreatic
- Prostate
- Sarcomas
Benefits and proven effectiveness
When a patient undergoes Proton Therapy, there are several advantages. Because the radiation is so targeted and there is less damage to nearby organs and tissue, tumors can receive a higher dose of radiation than with traditional radiation treatments. This means better tumor control and a reduced risk of cancer recurrence.
“It also helps to avoid additional radiation to previously treated areas of the body in situations where the tumor has recurred,” said Ossi, who has more than 30 years of experience in oncology. “We have seen much success in Proton Therapy for most cancers since we are able to deliver high doses of radiation to all types of tumors while minimizing damage to the healthy surrounding tissues.”
Proton Therapy has also been shown to have a quicker timeline of treatment, and because it’s painless and non-invasive, patients have a better quality of life during and after treatment.
Research efforts have found that Proton Therapy shows lower tumor recurrence rates, higher survival rates, and fewer short-term and late toxicities.
According to Ackerman Cancer Center, some other specific examples of measurable benefits of the therapy include:
- Breast cancer: Patients with left-sided breast cancer had an 88% reduction of radiation dose to the heart.
- Prostate cancer: There is a lower risk of urinary incontinence and erectile dysfunction.
- Head and neck cancers: There is less of a need for alternating feeding plans like the use of a feeding tube.
Is Proton Therapy right for you?
Each person’s situation is different, so patients should weigh what’s important to them in their journey. Oncologists at Ackerman Cancer Center have several questions they suggest patients ask themselves when determining if Proton Therapy is the right treatment:
- Has a solid tumor been identified? Proton Therapy is an extremely effective treatment for localized tumors that haven’t spread.
- Is the cancer new or recurring? Proton Therapy can be used to target recurrent tumors that were previously treated with conventional radiation.
- Is the cancer located near a sensitive area? Proton Therapy is especially beneficial in treating irregular tumors, those that are hard to reach and near vital organs.
- How important is quality of life during treatment? According to Ackerman Cancer Center, ongoing research shows superior benefits of Proton Therapy that gives patients better quality of life during and after treatment.
Ultimately, patients should do their research and understand what they want for their treatment journey.
“Patients should be their own advocate and seek out a radiation oncologist at a proton center to have a more detailed discussion regarding the benefits of proton treatment to the tumor with reduced radiation exposure to healthy tissues,” Ossi said.
What to expect during treatment
Should patients decide on Proton Therapy at Ackerman Cancer Center, the first step they will take is to have a consultation with a radiation oncologist, which can be scheduled within 48 hours of your first call. Once examined by the oncologist, the planning team will mark the treatment areas. Treatment will begin about one to two weeks following the consultation and, depending on the type of cancer being treated, continue Monday through Friday for several weeks.
During basic treatment, which takes about 20 minutes, a radiation therapist will position the patient to receive a CT scan to ensure they are correctly aligned for the dose of radiation. A radiation therapist will monitor the entire process and communicate via intercom. Complex treatments will require more time.
Most patients will work and continue to engage in physical activity throughout the treatment and experience no pain at all.
For those wondering about the tenure of Proton Therapy on the scene of cancer treatment, it is not a new player. It was first introduced in 1946 when its advantages over conventional photon radiation were outlined. Consequently, the first clinical use of Proton Therapy was initiated just eight years later to treat cancer and has since been used as a prominent force in cancer treatments.
Ackerman Cancer Center, which only uses evidence-based treatments, stays up to date on the latest research, techniques, and technology. The therapy allows radiation oncologists to deliver gentler treatments that also give patients the best short- and long-term outcomes.
“Ackerman Cancer Center will reach 10 years of operating its proton center this April,” Ossi said. “We are a private, physician-owned proton center that works collaboratively to provide patient-centric care from the initial consult, throughout a patent’s comprehensive treatment and future follow-up appointments.”
To learn more about Proton Therapy, click or tap here.
To find out if Proton Therapy is right for you, call 904-880-5522 to schedule a consultation with the Ackerman Cancer Center care team. You can also request an appointment by clicking or tapping here.