Why Choose Proton Therapy
Deciding on a modality to treat specific disease types can be difficult and overwhelming. This page is intended to give you an overview of the benefits proton therapy has over conventional radiotherapy (X-Rays). If you would like more detailed information on your diagnosis, please reach out to us through the link below.
How Does it Work
- Ionizing Radiation
Both Conventional RT (X-Rays) and Proton Therapy use Ionizing Radiation to destroy the DNA inside the cancer cells. This prohibits them from being able to reproduce
How is it Different
- Protons Have Mass
Light waves, such as X-rays, continue all the way through your body until they have used up all of their energy, no matter where that is.
The benefit of protons having mass is that Doctors are able to stop them where you want and specifically target your tumor
How Protons Work
Integral Dose
In order to deliver the same dose to the tumor, X-Rays must deliver greater dose outside the target than protons do. Meaning all of the area in blue on the accompanying chart is extra radiation that your healthy tissue is exposed to when using conventional radiotherapy.
How Protons Work
Higher Reward - Lower Risk
Treating cancer with any form of radiation is always a balancing act of risk versus reward. The doctors need to deliver enough dose to the tumor to stop it from coming back (recurrence) but not too much dose that the treatment itself can cause complications. The precision of proton therapy allows physicians to maximize the dose given to the tumor, while minimizing the amount of radiation your healthy tissue is exposed to.
*Presentation by Dr. N. Mendenhall, University of Florida, IBA
