Proton Beam Radiation Therapy
Proton beam therapy is a different type of ionizing radiation. It uses tiny particles called protons. These target small, well-defined tumors. Proton therapy causes minimal damage to healthy tissue. It is, effective at killing tumor cells. Precise imaging is needed for proton therapy. Also, the patient must remain still. Compared to x-ray and gamma-ray radiation, this therapy is very expensive. Coleman says more research is needed to know what cancers would most benefit. But it may be useful in highly specialized settings. Proton therapy has been used to treat rare tumors around the eye and spine. It’s also been used for advanced prostate cancer.