Proton therapy is to use a cyclotron or synchrotron to accelerate the light to about 70% of the speed of a light-emitting hydrogen atomic nucleus (ie, a proton). After being accelerated by an accelerator, a proton with a positive charge becomes ionizing radiation with very strong penetrating power. Extremely high speed enters the human body, is guided by special-shaped equipment, and finally reaches the targeted tumor site. Due to its fast speed, the chance of interacting with normal tissues or cells in the body is extremely low. When it reaches a specific part of the tumor, the speed suddenly decreases and stops, releasing the maximum energy and generating the “Bragg Peak”, which can kill cancer cells. Without causing damage to surrounding tissues and organs. For example, when the tumor is directly adjacent to important organs or structures such as the spinal cord, optic nerve, and heart, proton therapy can still effectively treat the tumor while protecting the functions of these important organs or structures, which is impossible in conventional radiation therapy.
Advantages of proton therapy
Good treatment effect
Only targeted high-energy irradiation on tumor lesions can achieve good treatment results.
Reduce side effects
Can reduce the side effects of organs that are easily affected by radiation, and effectively treat tumor lesions.
Suitable for old and young patients
Less burden on the body, elderly patients or weak patients are more suitable for treatment.
Wide range of treatments
Patients who cannot be treated surgically due to complications can also receive proton therapy.
No hospitalization required, leave 30 minutes after exposure
Treatment will not interfere with normal life and work, and can maintain a good quality of life.
Indications of proton therapy
Proton therapy for tumor types
-Central nervous system tumors-Gliomas-Chordomas, etc.-Myeloblastoma-Primitive neuroectodermal tumors PNET-Eye tumors-Optic gliomas-Retinoblastoma-Chest tumors-Lung cancer-Breast cancer, etc.- Digestive System Tumors-Esophageal Cancer-Liver Cancer-Colorectal Cancer-Retroperitoneal Cancer, etc.-Urinary Cancer-Prostate Cancer-Head and Neck Cancer-Nasopharyngeal Cancer-Laryngeal Cancer-Oral Cancer-Other Solid Malignancies-Ewing’s Sarcoma-Bone Tumor-neuroblastoma, etc.
Patients without cancer metastasis
Proton therapy is very effective for cancer patients who have not metastasized.
Patients with tumors near important tissues (such as optic nerve tumors)
Such patients need to avoid radiation damage to important organs when receiving treatment. For example, when patients with optic nerve tumors receive radiation therapy, the energy beam will pass through the eyes and brain.
Child patient
Proton therapy is necessary for pediatric patients because it reduces damage to healthy tissues that the child is developing. Children with cancer in the central nervous system (brain and spine) or in the eye, such as retinoblastoma and orbital rhabdomyosarcoma, can be treated with protons.
Difference from traditional radiation therapy
Under traditional radiation treatments such as X-rays, most of the radiant energy is released in a shallow place near the body surface, and the beamline dose is greatly weakened near a deeper lesion in the body, which makes it difficult to achieve a good therapeutic effect. In particle-ray therapy, the harness releases the maximum energy only after reaching a certain depth, which can irradiate the lesion with a sufficient dose, so the treatment effect can be improved.
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