Why is Proton Better?

 

Proton vs. X-Ray (Photon)

 
In the world of pediatric cancer, many patients will be faced with the need of radiation therapy during their cancer treatment. Proton therapy might be the best kept secret to many suffering with cancer both young and old. As both proton and x-ray radiation are used to achieve a common goal by eradicating the tumor bed, the similarities between the two greatly differ from this point on.
 
Traditional x-ray radiation therapy can go a long way in defeating pediatric cancers; however, it can also result in harmful side effects to growing children. To understand the benefits of proton radiation therapy, it’s important to understand how traditional x-ray radiation therapy works. X-ray radiation will pass through both diseased tissue as well as healthy tissues and/ or organs. Much like a path of a bullet, x-ray radiation will have a starting point on a body as well as an exit point on the body while everything in-between is hit and affected by its path. X-rays deliver a high amount of energy as they pass through the body on their way to the tumor. Because of the continuous high energy output, doctors often limit the dose to try to minimize damage to critical organs and healthy tissue. Depending on the area being treated, common side effects associated with traditional x-ray radiation therapy can be: decrease growth in bone and soft tissues in treated area(s), hormonal deficiencies, intellectual & developmental impairments, hearing loss, damage to salivary glands with head and neck cases and occasionally, second tumors.
 
Proton therapy on the other hand is a pinpoint accurate radiation treatment that delivers the exact dose of radiation needed to treat a tumor. Protons are charged energy particles that have a well defined range of penetration. Delivering the appropriate dose of radiation can be easier with proton therapy as there is no additional damage to healthy tissue and/ or organs behind the tumor. In other words, a smaller amount of energy is released at the surface of the body and as it travels through the body to the tumor. As the protons reach the tumor location, they slow down and interact with the electrons releasing their energy known as radiation. This high deposit of energy is referred to as the “Bragg Peak”. Because of its high radiation output at the tumor, doctors can deliver a precise and maximum dose of energy to the tumor. This increased dose improves a patient’s probability of a successful outcome and a higher tumor control rate. Proton beams can be contoured with a 3-D acrylic mold to conform to the exact shape of the tumor, enabling precise accuracy. This type of treatment is essential for growing and developing young bodies fighting cancer. Without the damaging side effects to healthy tissue and organs, proton radiation therapy becomes ideal for treating localized tumors, cancer near vital organs, lesions and soft tissue tumors that may be located near growing tissues in or around the spinal cord and brain, bone, eyes, ears, mouth and it significantly reduces the risk of secondary tumors later in life. Cure rates in certain cancers have risen dramatically with the use of proton therapy.
 
Scientists and physicians have a common dream; to find a therapy that targets a tumor accurately, reduces harm to healthy organs and tissues and provides a better quality of life. Proton therapy is the most precise radiation treatment available for most pediatric and other forms of cancers.