The Advantages of Proton Therapy
Both standard radiation therapy and proton therapy work on the same principle of damaging cellular DNA. The major advantage of proton therapy treatment over standard radiation therapy, however, is that protons slowly deposit their energy as they travel towards the cancerous tumor and then due to a unique physical characteristic called the Bragg Peak, deposit the majority of the radiation dose directly in the tumor and travel no further through the body. This results in less healthy tissues and organs receiving unnecessary radiation thereby reducing unwanted complications and side effects. Standard radiation therapy utilizes x-rays which deposits the majority of the radiation dose immediately upon entering the body while traveling to the tumor. Unlike protons, after depositing radiation dose in the tumor the x-rays continue traveling through the body until exiting out the other side resulting in the delivery of unnecessary radiation to healthy tissues and organs. Simply put, protons STOP after depositing the radiation dose in the tumor, x-rays do not.
These unique advantages of proton therapy lead to the potential for fewer harmful side effects, more direct impact on the tumor, and increased tumor control.