Tag: proton

Benefits of Using Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment

Benefits of Using Proton Therapy for Prostate Cancer Treatment

Prostate cancer is the second most common type and the leading cause of cancer death among American men. It occurs when the cells in the prostate grow and multiply in an uncontrolled manner.

To treat prostate cancer, traditional radiation therapy and surgery are performed. However, these treatments also carry the risk of serious toxicity and negative side effects, such as diarrhea, rectal discomfort, fatigue, and sexual and bowel function problems. These side effects have a potential long-term impact, making it more difficult for people to decide whether to undergo treatment or not.

Fortunately, some centers are now using proton treatment for prostate cancer. Proton therapy is a form of radiation therapy that can target and destroy the tumor while avoiding unnecessary radiation to nearby healthy tissues and vital organs. It is ideal for treating prostate cancer as it offers very …

New study suggests proton therapy for lung cancer lowers risk of heart disease

When treating lung cancer with radiation therapy, there is a significant concern that the treatment dose will expose the heart to excess radiation. One way to avoid this unnecessary radiation is by using proton therapy, a more precise form of radiation therapy as compared to traditional radiation therapy (x-rays/photons).

Researchers now say there is a link between lung cancer proton therapy and a reduced risk of certain heart diseases, including mini-strokes and heart attacks.

ABOUT THE STUDY

The findings of a new study from Penn Medicine were presented at the American Society for Radiation Oncology’s (ASTRO) annual meeting in October by Timothy Kegelman, MD, PhD, chief resident in the department of Radiation Oncology in the Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania.

Kegelman and his team of researchers followed more than 200 patients who underwent either proton therapy or traditional radiation therapy for locally advanced non-small cell lung cancer. The retrospective …